3    3tl    131 


he  haturalisfe 


WOLOGY 


T  11 E 


NATURALISTS  GUIDK 


IN  COLLECTING  AND  PRESERVING 


OBJECTS  OF   NATURAL   HISTORY, 


A   COMPLETE   CATALOGUE   OF   THE    BIRDS 
OF  EASTKRX   MASSACHUSETTS. 


BY  o.  J    MAYNAKD. 

V 


WITH  ILLUSTRATIONS   P>Y   E.   L.   \VKKKS 


SALEM : 

THE  NATURALISTS'  AGENCY. 

BOSTON :    ESTES    &    LAURIAT. 

1877. 


Entered  according  to  Act  ot  Congress,  In  they^ar  1870,  by 

K  I  K  L  l>s,    use  oo  I>.    &     ft) . . 
in  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  District  of  Massachusetts 


INTRODUCTION. 


THE  great  need  of  a  good  illustrated  work  to  guide 
young  naturalists  in  collecting  and  preserving  objects  of 
natural  history  has  induced  me  to  prepare  the  present 
Manual.  In  this  attempt  I  hope  I  have  been  in  some 
degree  successful.  I  have  spared  no  pains  to  bring  to- 
gether, in  a  comprehensive  form,  the  results  of  many  years 
of  experience  in  collecting  and  preserving  objects  of  natu- 
ral history,  both  for  private  cabinets  and  for  scientific 
museums. 

No  popular  work  of  this  kind  has  before  been  published 
in  America.  Throughout  the  present  work  I  have  endeav- 
ored to  encourage  the  young  to  engage  in  the  ennobling 
study  of  Natural  History,  and  to  join  the  band  of  young 
naturalists  so  rapidly  increasing  in  our  land. 

I  trust  the  reader  will  not  by  any  means  keep  the  teach- 
ings of  this  book  secret,  as  some  taxidermists  are  wont  to 
counsel,  but  spread  it  broadcast  among  those  who  would 
profit  by  the  information  I  have  herein  attempted  to  con- 
vey. It  is  intended  for  the  NATURALIST,  whoever  and 
wherever  he  may  be  ;  and  as  it,  comes  from  a  colaborer  in 
the  common  field,  it  will,  perhaps,  be  well  received. 

3427C8 


IV  INTRODUCTION. 

All  of  Part  First  is  original.  In  preparing  objects  of 
natural  history  I  have  in  a  great  degree  invented  methods 
of  my  own,  and  have  not  given  in  this  work  a  single 
one  that  I  have  not  tested  and  proved  equal  to*  all  oth- 
ers, if  not  superior.  To  avoid  confusion,  I  have  given 
only  the  method  which  experience  has  taught  me  to  l;e 
the  best. 

In  this  connection  my  thanks  are  due  to  Mr.  E.  L. 
Weeks,  whose  excellent  illustrations  will  be  found  to  add 
greatly  to  the  value  of  the  work. 

In  Part  Second  I  have  thought  proper  to  add  a  cata- 
logue of  the  birds  of  Eastern  Massachusetts,  with  notes, 
as  tending  to  enable  the  collector  to  obtain  the  rarer  spe- 
cies more  readily,  by  specifying  the  localities  and  peculiar 
.haunts  in  which  they  have  been  found  by  others.  The 
critical  notes  may,  perhaps,  be  perused  with  interest  by 
the  more  experienced  ornithologist. 


CONTENTS. 


PART   I. 

CHAPTER    I. 

COLLECTING   AND    PRESERVING    BIRDS. 

SECT.  PAGB 

I.    HOW  TO  COLLECT 3 

II.    How  TO  PREPARE  SPECIMENS. —  INSTRUMENTS,  MATERIALS,  ETC.  10 

III.  MEASURING,  SKINNING,  AND  PRESERVING  BIRDS     .        .        .18 

MEASURING 18 

SKINNING 22 

DETERMINING  THE  SEX 27 

CONTENTS  OF  STOMACH,  ETC. 31 

EXCEPTIONS  TO  THE  USUAL  METHOD  OF  SKINNING          .  31 

TAP.LE  OF  MEASUREMENTS 33 

IV.  MOUNTING  SPECIMENS 34 

MOUNTING  FRESH  BIRDS 34 

MOUNTING  DRIED  SKINS 40 

MOUNTING  BIRDS  WITH  THE  WINGS  EXTENDED  .        .        .41 

CHAPTER    II. 

COLLECTING    AND    PRESERVING    MAMMALS. 

SSCT. 

I.    COLLECTING  ...........  43 

II.    MEASURING  MAMMALS 45 

SKINNING 40 

METHOD  OF  PREPARING  A  BOOK  FOR  MEASURING  MAMMALS  47 

TAIJLE  OF  MEASUREMENTS 47 

III.    MOUNTING  MAMMALS 50 

CHAPTER    III. 
COLLECTING  AND  PRESERVING  INSECTS  FOR  THE  CABINET. 

BEETLES,  OR  COLEOPTERA 55 

BUGS,  OR  HEMIPTERA 57 

GRASSHOPPERS,  CRICKETS,  ETC.,  OR  ORTHOPTERA  .        .        .        .68 


VI  CONTENTS. 

MoTHS  AND    BUTTERFLIES,   OK    LllPIDOFTKXA           ....  58 

DhAGON FLIES,    ETC.,   OK    NEUKOPTERA .60 

BEE.-,  WASPS,  ETC.,  ou  HYMENOPTERA 61 

FLIES,  MosgurroEs,  ETC.,  OK  DIPTERA      .  ...    61 

CHAPTER    IV. 

COLLECTING   AND    PRESERVING   FISHES    AND    REPTILES. 

SiCT. 

I.    FISHES  .        . 63 

II.    REPTILES 64 

CHAPTER    V. 

MISCELLANEOUS    COLLECTIONS. 
SECT. 

1.    CRUSTACEA .        .69 

COLLECTING  MOLLUSKS 69 

PRESERVING  SHELLS 70 

WORMS,  ANIMAL  PARASITES,  JELLY-FISHES         .        .        .  71 
CORALS,   SEA-ANEMONES,    HYDROIDS    AND    BRYO/OA,   STAR- 
FISHES, SEA-URCHINS,  HOLOTIIURIAS,  OR  SEA-CUCUMBERS, 

SPONGES  AND  SEA-WEEDS 72 

II.    PREPARING  SKELETONS 73 

MOUNTING  SKELETONS 73 

CHAPTER    VI. 

COLLKCTIWO  AND  PRESERVING  EGGS         ......     76 

METHOD  OF  PREPARING  A  BOOK  FOR  RECORDING  THE  MEASURE- 
MENTS OF  EGGS  78 


PART    II. 

CATALOGUE  OF  THE  BIRDS  OF  EASTERN  MASSACHUSETTS      .        .     81 

INTRODUCTION 83 

APPENDIX ,        ...     161 

LNDEX  .  169 


LIST  AND  EXPLANATION  OF  PLATES. 


FRONTISPIECE.  Centronix  Bairdii,  Baird.  —  Baird's  Sparrow, 
taken  at  Ipswich,  Mass. 

PLATE  I.*  INSTRUMENTS  used  in  preparing  birds,  etc.,  and  for 
blowing  eggs.  Fig.  1,  Common  Pliers;  Fig.  2,  Cutting  Pliers  ;  Fig. 
3,  Tweezers ;  Fig.  4,  Scalpel  ;  Figs.  5  and  6,  Egg-drills ;  Fig.  7, 
Blow-pipe  ;  Fig.  8,  Hook  for  removing  embryos  from  eggs. 

PLATE  II.  —  WINGS,  showing  the  positions  of  the  different  feathers, 
as  follows :  — 

Fig.  \.  Wing  of  a  Red  tailed  Hawk  (Buteo  borealts,  Vieill.).— 
a  indicates  the  primaries,  or  quills;  b,  secondaries;  c,  tertiaries; 
d,  scapularies ;  g,  greater  wing-coverts ;  f,  lesser  wing-coverts  ;  e,  spuri- 
ous wing,  or  quills. 

Fig  2.  Winy  of  a  Coot ,  or  Mud  lien  (Fulica  Americana,  Gmelin). — 
a  indicates  tlie  primaries,  or  quills ;  b,  secondaries ;  c,  tertiaries ; 
d,  scapularies  ;  e,  spurious  wing,  or  quills. 

The  tertiaries  and  scapularies  arc  elongated  in  most  of  the  aquatic 
birds,  and  in  some  of  the  Waders.  They  are  a /ways  prominent,  if  not 
elongated,  on  long-winged  birds,  such  as  the  Eagles,  Hawks,  Owls, 
Vultures,  etc. ;  while  they  are  only  rudimentary  on  short-winged  birds, 
such  as  the  Thrushes,  Warblers,  Sparrows,  etc. 

PLATE  III.  HEAD  OF  THE  BALD  EAGLE  (Baluehu  teucocephafus, 
Savi<rny),  showing  the  different  parts,  as  follows:  —  a,  the  throat; 
b,  chin ;  c,  commissure,  or  the  folding  edges  of  the  mandibles ;  d, 
under  mandible;  s,  gonys;  p,  gape;  g,  upper  mandible;  h,  culmen  j 
i,  tip;  j,  base  of  bill;  k,  cere  (naked  skin  at  the  base  of  the  upper 
mandible,  prominent  in  the  rapacious  birds);  1,  frontal  feathers; 
m,  lores ;  n,  crown  ;  o,  occiput. 

*  Plates  I  ,  IV.,  V.,  VI.,  VIII  ,  IX  ,  X-,  and  the  frontispiece  will  be  more  fully 
explained  hereafter. 


viii  LIST   OF   PLATES. 

The  irides  are  the  colored  circles  that  surround  the  pupil.  The 
color  of  these  decides  the  so-called  "  color  of  the  eye." 

PLATE  IV.  ILLUSTRATES  PREPARING  SKINS  —  Firjs.  1  and  2. 
Corrugated  hoard,  used  in  drying  skins ;  d,  skin  on  the  hoard,  in  the 
proper  position.  Fir/.  3.  A  "skin"  prepared  for  scientific  use;  ^,  la- 
bel on  which  is  marked  the  nurnher  and  sex. 

PLATE  V.  DISSECTED  SONG  SPARROW  (Melospiza  mefodia,  Baird), 
illustrating  the  sexes  in  the  breeding  season,  as  follows  :  —  Fig.  1.  An 
adult  female  (  9  ) ;  1,1,  peculiar  yellow  glands  ;  2,  ovary  ;  3,  oviduct ; 
4,  lungs.  Fit/.  2.  An  adult  male  (  £ )  ;  1,  lungs;  2,  peculiar  yellow 
glands ;  3,  3,  testicles. 

PLATE  VI.  DISSECTED  SONG  SPARROW,  illustrating  the  sexes 
of  the  young-of-the-year,  in  autumn,  as  follows:  —  Fig.  1.  A  young 
inale(^);  1,  lungs;  2,2,  yellow  glands ;  3,  3,  testicles.  Fig  2.  A 
young  female  (  9  )  >  1>  1»  yellow  glands  ;  2,  ovary;  3,  lungs;  4,  ovi- 
duct. 

PLATE  VII.  OUTLINE  OF  GROUSE,  showini:  the  po-ition  of  the 
different  parts,  as  follows  :  —  a,  the  hack  ;  b,  rump ;  c,  tipper  tail- 
coverts;  d,  under  tail-coverts  ;  e,  vent;  f,  tibia;  g,  tarsi;  h,  breast; 
i,  side;  j,  neck ;  k,  hind  neck;  I,  abdomen  ;  m,  feet ;  n,  throat. 

PLATE  VIII.  ILLUSTRATES  MOUNTING  BIRDS.  —  Figs.  1,  2.  Arti- 
ficial body  ;  a,  bone  of  leg;  h,  wire  bent ;  c,  wire  clenched ;  f,  h,  t-i'l 
win*.  Fig.  3.  Mounted  bird ;  a,  perpendicular  line,  showing  the 
position  of  the  head  compared  with  the  feet  and  h-tse  of  the  stand  ; 
b,  b,  wires  for  retaining  the  upper  part  of  the  wing  in  position  ;  c,  c. 
wires  for  retaining  the  lower  part  of  the  wing  in  position  ;  e,  e,  wires 
for  the  tail ;  d,  showing  the  tail-feathers  plaited ;  f,  stand.  Fig.  4 
Stand  for  mounting  birds  with  the  wings  extended  ;  h,  b,  parallel 
wires ;  c,  wires  bent ;  a,  block  of  wood  for  the  bottom  of  ibe  stand, 
Fig.  5.  Head  of  Cedar-Bird,  to  illustrate  th<>  elevaiincr  of  the  crest  i 
g,  cotton  on  the  pin  ;  b,  feathers  of  the  crest  in  position  on  tlie  cotton. 

PLATE  IX.  ILLUSTRATES  MOUNTING  MAMMALS  — Fi<).  1.  A, 
plank  for  supporting  iron  rods;  8,  iron  rod  for  supporting  head  ;  14, 
cap,  nut,  and  screw  for  fastening  the  end  of  tbe  rod  in  the  skull; 
7,  7,  7,  7,  iron  rods  to  support  the  body  ;  5,  G",  5,  6,  caps,  <'te.  for  fastening 
the  upper  ends  of  the  rods  to  the  plank  ;  17,  17,  1 ".  17.  cans,  et<-.  for 
fastening  the  lower  part  of  the  rods  to  the  stand  (ID)  ;  15,  \\i  e  for 
supporting  the  tail;  16,  16,16,  16,  16,  16,  16,  16,  aiti.icial  seed.. us  of 


LIST   OF   PLATES.  ix 

hemp,  prass,  or  plaster  used  as   a  substitute  for  the  natural  body. 
Fig.  2.   A,  nut ;  B,  cap  ;   C,  thread. 

PLATE  X.  SKELETON  OF  A  GROUSE,  OR  PRAIRIE  HEN  (Cupi- 
(lon/<i  cit/>i<!o,  Baird).  showing  the  different  bones,  as  follows:  — 
n,  the  skull ;  b,  vertebra  of  the  neck;  c,  Jiumertis ;  d,  forearm;  f,  pha- 
langes ;  g,  furcuhi ;  h,  sternum;  i,  marginal  indentations;  j,  thigh? 
k,  tarsus;  y,  tibia  ;  m,  rump  ;  n,  coccygus;  A,  ribs;  B,  lower  joint  of 
thigh. 


PART    I. 

DIRECTIONS 

FOR   COLLECTING,   PRESERVING,  AND  MOUNTING 

BIRDS,   MAMMALS,   FISHES, 

ETC.,    ETC.,    ETC. 


PART   I. 


CHAPTER    I. 

COLLECTING    AND    PRESERVING   BIRDS. 

SECTION  I.  Hoiv  to  collect.  —  Pei'sonal  experience  is  a 
good,  and  in  fact  the  only  adequate,  teacher  we  can  have 
in  learning  any  art.  The  need  of  such  a  teacher  is  felt  by 
none  more  than  by  the  naturalist  who  wishes  to  bring  to- 
gether a  complete  collection  of  the  birds  of  even  his  own 
immediate  district.  Hence  I  trust  I  shall  not  be  accused 
of  egotism,  if,  in  this  section,  I  endeavor  to  impart  to  the 
reader  some  things  that  experience  has  taught  me. 

It  is  of  first  importance  for  the  collector  to  gain  as  com- 
plete a  knowledge  as  possible  of  the  notes  and  habits  of 
birds,  and  of  the  localities  frequented  by  those  he  wishes 
to  procure.  This  knowledge  may  be  gained  by  carefully 
studying  the  writings  of  men  who  have  paid  par:i  ular 
attention  to  the  subject.  Too  much  dependence  must  not 
be  placed  on  books,  as  the  best  of  these  contain  error  as 
well  as  truth  ;  besides,  birds  are  very  variable  in  their  hab- 
its in  different  localities.  The  collector  must  then  depend 
mainly  upon  himself.  He  must  visit  every  locality,  —  the 
mountain  top  and  the  dark  swampy  thicket,  as  well  as  the 
meadow,  the  plain,  or  the  open  forest,  as  in  each  of  these 
localities  he  will  find  species  that  he  may  no,  meet  else- 
where. A  little  patience  will  help  any  on?  through  the 
worst  of  places. 

The  quaking  bog,  where  a  misstep  may  plunge  the  adven- 
turer into  the  slimy  ooze,  is  also  an  excellent  locality  for 


S   GUIDE. 

certain  species.  But  when  the  collector  returns  home  wet 
and  hungry,  fatigued  and  disheartened,  —  as  he  now  and 
then  will,  —  let  him  not  he  discouraged.  Try  again  !  the 
next  day,  and  even  the  next,  if  need  be,  until  the  desired 
specimen  is  obtained.  After  all,  the  earnest  naturalist  will 
be  amply  rewarded  for  the  exercise  of  patience  arid  perse- 
verance by  securing  a  rare  specimen. 

The  true  naturalist  never  thinks  of  cold  and  disappoint- 
ment, of  days  of  fatigue  and  hours  of  patient  watching, 
when  at  last  he  holds  in  his  hand  the  long-searched-for 
bird.  Ample  reward  is  this  for  all  his  former  trials  ;  he  is 
now  ready  to  go  into  bog  and  through  brier.  And  thus  the 
enthusiastic  naturalist  travels  on,  not  discouraged  by  toil 
and  trouble,  laughed  to  scorn  by  the  so-called  ''practical" 
men,  who  are  unable  to  appreciate  his  high  motive.  This, 
however,  he  forgets  wrhen  in  field  or  study  he  meets  with 
the  cordial  greeting  of  his  brother  naturalist,  as  they  with 
mutual  interest  relate  their  discoveries  and  adventures. 

To  the  travelling  collector  a  few  special  hints  are  neces- 
sary. While  visiting  a  remote  region,  but  little  known, 
one  should  not  neglect  to  shoot  numbers  of  every  bird  met 
with,  even  if  they  are  common  species  at  home,  as  they 
will  not  only  furnish  data  on  the  distribution  of  the  species; 
b*  t  they  may  present  interesting  characters  peculiar  to 
that  locality.  If  a  certain  species  appears  common,  do  not 
delay  collecting  specimens,  for  peculiar  circumstances  may- 
have  brought  them  together  ill  unusual  numbers  ;  at  some 
future  time  they  may  be  rare. 

A  well-trained  dog  is  of  great  value  while  collecting 
birds,  especially  the  Quails,  Marsh  Wrens,  Sea-side  and 
Sharp-tailed  Finches,  —  in  fact,  all  birds  that  are  difficult  to 
start  in  open  meadows  and  grassy  places.  While  search- 
ing thickets,  great  watchfulness  should  be  observed,  espe- 
cially in  the  autumn,  when  many  birds  have  no  conspicuous 
note,  otherwise  many  of  the  more  wary  of  the  Warblers 


THE   ART   OF   COLLECTING   BIRDS.  5 

will  escape  notice.  The  slightest  chirp  should  be  care- 
fully followed  ;  the  slightest  motion  of  the  branches  closely 
watched.  If  a  bird  is  seen  that  is  not  fully  recognized,  it 
should  be  shot  at  once,  for  in  no  other  way  can  it  be  de- 
termined whether  it  is  not  a  rara  avis. 

By  carefully  watching  the  motions  of  birds,  the  collector 
will  soon  become  so  expert  as  to  be  able  generally  to  dis- 
tinguish the  diiferent  species  of  Warblers,  even  at  a  dis- 
tance. Carefully  scrutinize  also  the  tops  of  tall  forest- 
trees,  as  I  have  there  taken,  in  autumn,  some  of  the  rarest 
Warblers. 

In  spring  male  birds  are  quite  readily  found,  as  they  are 
then  in  full  song ;  but  the  same  caution  must  be  used  in 
collecting  females  that  is  practised  in  autumn,  as  they  are 
generally  shy  and  difficult  to  find.  Hence  it  is  a  good  rule 
always  to  secure  the  female  first,  when  she  is  seen  with  the 
male ;  for,  in  spite  of  all  the  collector's  efforts,  he  will  find 
that  there  will  be  four  males  to  one  female  in  his  collection. 

During  winter  some  birds  may  be  found  in  the  thick 
woods  that  one  would  hardly  expect  to  find  at  this  season, 
such  as  the  Robin,  Golden-winged  Woodpecker,  etc.  The 
open  fields  should  not  be  neglected  even  during  snow- 
storms, as  it  is  then  that  such  ordinarily  cautious  birds  as 
the  Snowy  Owl  may  be  approached  quite  readily  ;  or  the 
capture  of  a  Jerfulcon  may  reward  the  collector  for  a 
disagreeable  tramp.  The  salt  marshes  and  sandy  sea- 
shores are  the  resort  of  a  great  many  winter  birds,  and 
the  collector  will  perhaps  find  himself  amply  repaid  for  a 
few  visits  to  these  localities  at  this  season. 

Do  not  neglect  to  collect  the  young  of  birds  ;  by  pro* 
curing  specimens  of  these  from  the  time  they  become  fully 
Hedged  until  they  attain  the  perfectly  mature  plumage, 
one  becomes  familiar  with  all  the  stages  through  which  a 
given  species  passes,  and  \vill  thus  avoid  many  errors  into 
which  sonic  of  our  eminent  ornithologists  have  fallen,  — 


6  THE   NATURALIST'S   GUIDE. 

that  of  mistaking  the  young  of  certain  well-known  birds 
for  a  different  species  from  the  adult,  from  not  being  ac- 
quainted with  the  immature  stages.  All  birds  should  be 
taken  that  exhibit  any  unusual  characters,  such  as  unusu- 
ally large  or  small  bills  or  feet;  or  change  of  plumage,  such 
us  very  pale,  or  very  bright,  cases  of  albinism,  etc. 

The  gun  used  by  a  collector  should  have  a  small  bore, 
not  larger  than  No.  14,  for  shooting  small  birds  ;  for  Ducks, 
and  other  large  water-birds,  one  of  larger  calibre  will  be 
found  more  effectual.  The  best  shot  to  use  for  small  birds 
is  "Dust  shot,"  if  it  can  be  procured  ;  if  not,  No.  12  will 
answer.  No.  8  will  do  for  Ducks  and  large  birds.  For 
Hawks  and  Eagles,  Ealy's  wire  cartridges  are  the  best. 

In  shooting  small  birds,  load  as  lightly  as  possible.  I'ut 
in  no  more  shot  than  is  required  to  kill  the  bird.  As  you 
can  approach  very  near  most  small  birds,  you  will  Imd, 
by  experiment,  that  you  can  kill  them  with  very  little  shot. 
If  too  much  powder  is  used,  it  will  impel  the  shot  with 
so  much  force  as  to  send  it  completely  through  the  bird, 
thereby  making  two  holes,  when  less  powder,  by  causing 
less  force,  would  have  made  only  one,  and  the  bird  would 
have  been  killed  just  as  effectually.  When  shot  goes  into 
the  body  of  a  bird,  it  generally  carries  feathers  with  it,  and 
in  a  measure  plugs  the  hole  ;  but  when  it  is  forced  through 
and  comes  out,  it  often  carries  away  a  small  patch  of  feath- 
ers and  skin,  leaving  an  open  wound,  from  which  the  blood 
flows  freely. 

If  the  bird  is  not  instantly  killed  by  shooting,  the 
thumb  and  forefinger  should  be  placed  with  a  firm  pres- 
sure on  each  side  of  its  body  under  the  wings,  when  it  will 
soon  die.  This  operation  compresses  the  lungs  and  pre- 
vents the  bird's  breathing.  Besides  mercifully  ending  its 
suffering,  its  death  causes  the  flow  of  blood  in  a  great 
measure  to  cease ,  for  this  reason  it  should  be  killed  as 
quickly  as  possible. 


THE  ART   OF   COLLECTING   BIRDS.  7 

The  mouth,  nostrils,  and  vent  should  now  be  plugged 
with  cotton  or  tow.  By  blowing  aside  the  feathers  the  shot- 
holes  may  be  detected  ;  if  they  bleed,  or  are  in  the  abdo- 
men or  rump,  a  pinch  of  calcined  plaster  *  should  be  placed 
upon  them  ;  this  absorbs  the  blood,  or  any  fluid  that  may 
ooze  out.  When  shot  enters  either  the  abdomen  or  rump, 
it  is  apt  to  cut  the  intestines  and  set  free  the  fluids  con- 
tained therein.  If  the  blood  has  already  soiled  the  feath- 
ers, remove  as  much  as  is  possible  with  a  knife,  then  sprinkle 
plaster  on  the  spot,  and  rub  the  soiled  feathers  gently  be- 
tween the  thumb  and  fingers ;  this,  if  repeated,  will  gen- 
erally remove  any  spots  of  blood,  etc.,  if  the  operation  is 
performed  before  the  blood  becomes  dry.  When  the  blood 
is  dry,  it  is  removed  after  the  bird  is  skinned,  as  will  be, 
hereafter  described. 

Next  make  a  note  of  the  color  of  the  eyes,  feet,  and  bill 
of  the  specimens,  also  note  the  color  of  the  cere  in  birds  of 
prey,  and  the  naked  skin  of  the  lores  arid  about  the  bill  of 
the  Herons,  also  about  the  heads  of  the  Vultures.  After 
smoothing  the  feathers  carefully,  place  the  bird  in  a  paper 
cone,f  head  first,  then  pin  or  twist  up  the  larger  end,  tak- 
ing care  not  to  injure  the  tail-feathers.  The  blood  can  be 
washed  from  the  feathers  of  all  the  swimmers,  but  the  bird, 
in  this  case,  should  be  allowed  to  dry  before  packing  in 
paper.  If  grease  or  oily  matter  has  oozed  out  upon  the 
feathers,  the  bird  should  not  be  washed,  but  the  plaster 
be  used  as  before,  only  in  larger  quantities. 

All  traces  of  blood  should  be  instantly  removed  from 
white  feathers,  as  it  is  very  apt  to  stain  them  if  it  remains 
upon  them  long.  The  paper  containing  the  bird  should 

*  This  is  burned  plaster  or  gypsum,  and  is  used  by  stucco  makers. 
If  it  cannot  he  procured,  the  unburned  plaster  or  common  ground  gyp*um 
used  by  farmers,  or  air-slacked  lime,  pulverized  chalk,  or  ashes,  —  in  fact, 
anything  that  will  absorb  the  blood,  —  will  answer. 

t  The  leaves  of  an  old  pamphlet  are  about  the  right  size  for  making 
cones  for  small  birds,  and  can  be  easily  obtained. 


8  THE  NATURALIST'S  GUIDE. 

be  placed  in  a  light  basket,  —  a  willow  fish-basket  is  the 
best  for  this  purpose,  — suspended  by  a  strap  over  the  shoul- 
der, and  resting  upon  the  hip.  If  there  are  but  one  or  two 
birds  in  the  basket,  it  should  be  filled  with  grass,  or  loose 
paper,  to  keep  them  steady,  as  otherwise  they  might  re- 
ceive injury  by  rolling  from  side  to  side.  In  packing  birds, 
avoid  putting  the  largest  at  the  top,  as  their  weight  will 
cause  the  smallest  to  bleed.  Do  not  hold  a  bird  in  the 
hand  any  longer  than  is  necessary;  if  possible,  take  it  l»y 
the  feet  or  bill,  for  the  perspiration  from  the  hand  tends  to 
impair  the  gloss  of  the  plumage. 

A  good  collector  must  practise,  in. order  to  become  a  good 
shot.  He  must  always  keep  his  gun  in  readiness,  for  at 
any  moment  a  bird  that  he  desires  may  start  up  at  his  feet, 
or  peer  out  from  the  bushes  for  only  an  instant  before 
flying  away;  by  being  ready,  he  will  thus  secure  many 
birds  that  he  would  otherwise  lose. 

To  be  in  readiness  at  all  times,  the  gun  should  be  car- 
ried in  the  hollow  of  the  left  arm,  with  the  muzzle  pointed 
backwards,  or  with  the  stock  under  the  right  arm,  with  the 
muzzle  pointed  towards  the  ground,  which  is  undoubtedly 
the  safest  way,  especially  if  you  are  hunting  with  a  com- 
panion. Too  much  caution  cannot  be  used  in  handling  a 
loaded  gun,  especially  by  a  professional  collector,  who  may 
spend  two  thirds  of  his  time  with  a  gun  in  his  hand.  A 
gun  should  never  be  carried  in  other  than  three  ways,  — 
the  two  above  mentioned  and  directly  over  the  shoulder. 
If  the  collector  becomes  accustomed  to  these  ways,  which 
are  all  perfectly  safe,  he  will  never  think  of  any  other. 
Surely,  this  caution  is  necessary  to  one  who  is  travelling 
through  all  sorts  of  places,  when  a  slip  or  a  fall  with  a  care- 
lessly held  gun  might  cripple  him  for  life,  by  an  accidental 
discharge. 

While  passing  through  thick  bushes,  always  carry  the 
gun  under  the  arm,  .as  this  prevents  its  accidental  dis- 


THE  .ART   OF   COLLl^CilNG   BIRDS.  9 

charge  by  the  bushes  catching  the  trigger  or  hammer. 
Never  allow  the  muzzle  of  the  gun  to  point  at  any  one, 
even  for  an  instant.  All  these  things  depend  upon  habit, 
and  will  cause  a  thoughtful  man,  who  has  handled  a  gun  for 
a  long  time,  to  be  much  more  careful  than  a  person  who 
seldom  takes  one  in  his  hands.  The  thoughtful  man 
prefers  rather  to  avoid  accidents  to  himself  and  others — 
by  care  in  advance  —  than  to  risk  the  chance  of  having  to 
mourn  his  carelessness  afterwards.  The  various  devices  for 
snaring  birds  are  undoubtedly  the  best  ways  to  secure  them 
without  injuring  their  plumage.  But  the  collector  will 
have  to  rely  mainly  upon  his  gun ;  and  by  following  the 
above  instruction  regarding  the  light  charges,  he  will  find 
that  he  will  generally  kill  a  bird  without  injuring  its 
plumage  seriously.  If  he  carefully  attends  to  it  afterward 
in  the  way  described,  he  will  save  himself  much  trouble 
when  he  wishes  to  preserve  it. 

In  an  old  French  cook-book  may  be  found  a  receipt  for  a 
rabbit-stew,  commencing  with,  "  First,  catch  your  rabbit," 
etc., — which  rule  is  applicable  to  the  collector.  First,  study 
with  attention  the  art  of  collecting.  Many  and  long  have 
been  the  lessons  in  collecting  that  I  have  taken  in  long  tramps 
through  sunshine  and  storm,  in  the  bracing  air  ampng  the 
mountains  of  Northern  Maine  and  New  Hampshire,  on 
sandy  islands  and  rocky  shores,  amid  the  luxuriant  forests 
and  along  the  rivers  and  lagoons  of  semi-tropical  Florida. 
Hours  of  danger  and  perplexity  have  been  mingled  with 
days  of  inexpressible  pleasure,  which  all  must  experience 
who  study  from  the  Great  Book  of  Nature.  Not  easily, 
then,  I  may  add,  have  I  learned  what  I  am  trying  to  im- 
part to  others  in  thoso  ],;iges. 

Since  writing  the  preceding,  I  have  been  informed  by 
my  friend,  Mr.  W.  Brewster,  of  Cambridge,  that  in  collect- 
ing such  small  birds  as  the  Warblers,  Sparrows,  Wrens,  etc., 
he  has  used  a  "blow-gun  "  to  great  advantage,  constructed 
1* 


10  THE  NATURALIST'S   GUIDE. 

somewhat  after  the  pattern  of  the  celebrated  instrument 
that  is  used  by  the  natives  of  some  portions  of  South 
America  to  shoot  poisoned  arrows.  His  "gun"  is  made 
of  pine-wood,  and  is  about  four  feet  and  a  half  long ;  it  is 
bored  smoothly  the  whole  length  with  a  quarter-inch  hole. 
For  ammunition  Mr.  Brewster  uses  balls  made  of  soft 
putty.  These,  blown  at  birds,  will  hit  them  hard  enough 
to  kill,  if  the  gun  be  aimed  rightly,  which  art  can  be 
acquired  by  practice.  This  is  certainly  the  preferable  way 
to  collect  small  birds,  as  it  does  the  plumage  no  harm.  I 
would  suggest,  however,  that  a  tube  of  thin  brass  be  used 
in  place  of  wood ;  if  it  were  longer,  say  six  feet,  it  would  carry 
with  greater  force  and  more  accuracy.  Glass  would  be  still 
better,  if  it  could  be  supported  by  wood  to  prevent  break- 
age, MS  it  would  be  much  smoother.  The  balls  of  putty 
should  be  made  to  fit  moderately  tight.  I  have  never 
tried  this  method  myself,  but  Mr.  Brewster  has,  in  a  satis- 
factory manner,  as  described  above.  I  only  wait  an  oppor- 
tunity to  test  them  myself,  and  trust  that  others  will  do 
the  same. 

SECTION  II.  How  to  prepnre  Specimens.  Instruments, 
Materials,  etc*  —  The  instruments  needed  in  preserving 
birds  and  mammals  are  :  a  pair  of  common  pliers,  Plate  I. 
Fig.  1  ;  a  pair  of  cutting  pliers,  Fig.  2  ;  a  pair  of  tweezers, 
Fig.  3;  a  scalpel,  Fig.  4;  two  brushes, — one  soft,  the  other 
stiff ;  a  flat  file,  and  needles  and  thread. 

The  materials  needed  are  :  wire  of  annealed  iron  of  sizes 
between  2<>  and  10,  also  some  very  fine  copper  wire; 
common  thread,  coarse  and  fine,  also  some  very  fine,  soft 
thread  from  the  cotton-factories,  —  this  is  wound  on  what 
are  called  "  bobbins "  ;  it  is  used  in  the  manufacture  of 
cloth, —  cotton  tow  or  hemp,  and  fine  grass  ;  for  the  latter 
the  long  tough  kind  that  grows  in  the  woods  is  the  best. 

*  All  the  instruments  and  the  wire  may  be  procured  at  the  hardware 
stores  in  the  cities  or  larger  towns. 


MATERIALS,  ETC. 


11 


Fig.  7        Fig.  4 


Plate  I. 


12  THE    NATURALIST'S   GUIDE. 

Arsenic  is  the  best  substance  that  can  be  used  in  preserv- 
ing skins,  and  the  only  one  necessary.  Other  preparations 
are  no  better,  and  often  much  worse.  Strange  as  it  may  ap- 
pear to  some,  I  would  say  avoid  especially  all  the  so-called 
arsenical  soaps;  they  are  at  best  but  filthy  preparations ; 
beside,  it  is,  a  fact  to  which  1  can  bear  painful  testimony, 
that  they  are  —  especially  when  applied  to  a  greasy  skin  — 
poisonous  in  the  extreme.  I  have  been  so  badly  poisoned, 
while  working  upon  the  skins  of  some  fat  water-birds  that 
had  been  preserved  with  arsenical  soap,  as  to  be  made 
seriously  ill,  the  poison  having  worked  into  the  system 
through  some  small  wounds  or  scratches  on  my  hands. 
Had  pure  arsenic  been  used  in  preparing  the  skins  the 
effect  would  not  have  been  as  bad,  although  grease  and 
arsenic  are  generally  a  blood  poison  in  some  degree ;  but 
when  combined  with  "  soap,"  the  effect  —  at  least,  as  far  as 
my  experience  goes — is  much  more  injurious. 

Arsenic  alone  will  sometimes  poison  slightly  the  wound 
with  which  it  comes  in  contact,  but  no  more  than  com- 
mon salt.  There  will  be  a  slight  festering  and  nothing 
more ;  but,  on  the  contrary,  when  combined  with  fat,  a 
poison  is  generated  that  must  be  carefully  guarded  against. 
It  sometimes  works  under  the  nails  of  the  fingers  and 
thumbs,  while  one  is  at  work  skinning  (especially  if  the 
birds  are  fat).  Rubber  cots  should  be  put  upon  the  fingers 
or  thumbs  the  instant  the  slightest  wound  is  detected, 
whereby  much  pain  may  be  avoided  at  a  small  cost.  The 
cots  alluded  to  can  be  procured  of  almost  any  druggist  for 
ten  ceit^s  e$ch. 

Arsenic*  however,  cannot  be  used  with  too  #reat  care, 
as  it  is  a  deadly  poison.  In  no  case  should  it  be  left  in 
the  way  of  children.  I  have  a  drawer,  wide,  long,  and 
shallow,  in  the  bench  at  which  \  work  upon  birds,  wlwre 
my  arsenic  is  kept  safely,  and  it  .is  always  accessible.  But 
there  is  probably  not  so  much  danger  attending  the  use 


,   ETC.  13 

of  pure  drv  arsenic  as  people-  generally  suppose.  I  have" 
been  told  repeatedly,  by  competent  physicians,  that  the 
small  quantity  taken,  either  by  inhalation  while  using  it; 
or  by  numerous  other  accidental  ways,  would  be  beneficial; 
rather  than  injurious;  but  be  that  as  it  may,  1  have  used 
dry  arsenic  constantly  for  ten  years,  and  have  not  yet,  1 
think,  experienced  any  injurious  effects  from  it.  It  must 
be  remembered  that  1  have,  of  course,  used  it  carefully. 
\\hen  used  with  care,  in  the  ordinary  manner,  it  is  uni 
doiihtedly  the  safest  and  the  best  material  that  can  be 
used  in  preparing  skins  for  the  cabinet.  1  have  never  yet 
had  a  skin  decay,  or  attacked  by  moths,  that  was  well  pre- 
served by  the  use  of  arsenic.  Arsenic  is  very  cheap,  vary- 
ing from  five  to  ten  cents  per  pound  by  the  wholesale,  and 
retailed  at  twenty-five  cents  by  druggists,  but  when  bought 
by  the  ounce  the  price  is  enormous. 

There  is,  however,  another  poison  to  which  one  is  exposed 
while  skinning  animals,  which  cannot  be  too  carefully 
guarded  against,  for  it  is  much  more  injurious  in  its  effects 
than  fat  ard  arsenic,  I  speak  of  the  animal  poison  that 
results  from  the  first  stage  of  decomposition.  If  on  at  warm 
day  one  skins  birds  from  which  an  offensive  odor  arises, 
and  a  peculiar  livid  or  purplish  appearance  of  the  skin 
upon  the  abdomen  is  seen,  and  the  intestines  are  distended 
with  an  extremely  poisonous  gas, —  which  is  the  source 
of  the  offensive;  sickening  odor, —  there  is  danger  of  be- 
ing poisoned.  When  this  gas  is  inhaled,  or  penetrates  th6 
skin  through  the  pores  (which  are  generally  open  on  a 
warm  day),  a  powerful  and  highly  dangerous  poison  is  apt 
to  be  the  result. 

In  a  few  days  numerous  pimples,  which  are  exceedingly 
painful,  appear  upon  the  skin  of  the  face  and  other  partfc 
of  the  person,  and  upon  those  parts  where  there  is  a  chaf- 
ing or  rubbing  become  large  and  deep  sores.  There  is  h 
general  languor,  and,  if  badly  poisoned;  complete  proslratibfe 


14  THE   NATURALIST'S   GUIDE. 

results;  the  slightest  scratch  upon  the  skin  becomes  a  fes- 
tering sore.  Once  poisoned  in  this  manner  (and  I  speak 
from  experience),  one  is  never  afterwards  able  to  skin  any 
animal  that  has  become  in  the  least  putrid,  without  ex- 
periencing some  of  the  symptoms  above  described.  Even 
birds  that  you  handled  before  with  impunity,  you  cannot 
now  skin  without  great  care. 

The  best  remedy  in  this  case  is,  as  the  Hibernian  would 
say,  not  to  get  poisoned,  —  to  avoid  skinning  all  birds  that 
exhibit  the  slightest  signs  of  putrescence  ;  this  is  especially 
to  be  guarded  against  in  warm  weather,  and  in  hot  cli- 
mates, where  I  have  seen  a  single  hour's  work  upon  putrid 
birds  nearly  provo  fatal  to  the  careless  individual. 

If  you  get  poisoned,  bathe  the  parts  frequently  in  cold 
water ;  and  if  chafed,  sprinkle  the  parts,  after  bathing, 
with  wheat  flour.  These  remedies,  if  persisted  in,  will  effect 
a  cure,  if  not  too  bad  ;  then,  medical  advice  should  be  pro- 
cured without  delay. 

It  is  just  as  easy  to  skin  fresh  birds  as  putrid  ones, 
and  much  pleasanter,  and  in  this  way  the  evil  will  be 
avoided.  If  it  is  necessary  to  skin  a  putrid  bird,  —  as  in 
the  case  of  a  rare  specimen,  —  a  good  bath  of  the  hands 
and  face  in  clear,  cold  water  will  entirely  prevent  the 
poison  from  taking  effect,  provided  the  skinning  is  not 
protracted  too  long.  But  generally,  if  the  bird  is  putrid, 
I  would  advise  the  collector  to  throw  it  away,  and  obtain 
others  that  are  safer  to  skin. 

If  birds  and  mammals  are  injected,  by  means  of  a  small 
glass  syringe,  with  a  small  quantity  of  carbolic  acid  at  the 
mouth  and  vent,  it  will  prevent  decomposition  from  taking 
place  immediately.  After  injecting,  the  mouth  and  vent 
should  be  plugged  to  prevent  the  acid  from  staining  the 
feathers.  Birds  injected  in  this  way  for  three  successive 
days  will  continue  fresh  for  a  long  time,  and,  if  kept  in  a 
dry  place,  will  harden  completely  without  decomposing. 


MATERIALS,   ETC.  15 

They  may  afterwards  be  skinned,  as  will  be  described  here- 
after. Impure  carbolic  acid  will  answer  as  well  as  the 
refined,  and  it  is  much  cheaper. 

The  cust  of  this  acid  is  trifling,  and  it  will  often  prove 
beneficial  in  preserving  birds  in  warm  weather  when  they 
cannot  be  skinned  immediately.  But  I  would  not  advise 
its  use  in  preserving  birds  when  it  can  possibly  be  avoided, 
as  it  dulls  the  plumage,  and  is  offensive  in  its  odor  in  con- 
nection with  the  juices  of  the  birds  while  they  are  being 
skinned.  It  is,  perhaps,  needless  to  add  that  this  acid 
is  a  dangerous  internal  poison;  it  also  burns  the  skin 
badly  when  allowed  to  come  in  contact  with  it,  but  all 
injurious  effects  may  be  removed  by  applying  oil  to  the 
spot. 

As  a  collector  walks  much,  he  must  have  something  on 
his  feet  that  is  easy  and  at  the  same  time  serviceable.  I 
have  found  that  in  stony  countries  like  New  England  the 
best  things  arc  canvas  shoes  that  lace  up  in  front,  tightly 
about  the  ankles  and  over  the  instep,  to  prevent  slipping  up 
and  down,  which  is  the  worst  possible  thing  that  could 
happen  while  on  a  long  tramp  ;  the  soles  should  be  broad, 
so  that  the  toes  may  have  room  enough  without  crow-ling. 
With  such  shoes  I  have  found  th  it  I  coul.l  walk  farther 
than  with  anything  else,  and  be  less  wearied  in  the  end. 
If  the  feet  are  wet  from  walking  in  water,  with  canvas 
shoes  on  them  they  will  soon  dry,  as  the  water  will  all  run 
out  upon  walking  a  short  time  on  dry  ground.  Anything 
that  is  water-proof  will  be  much  too  heavy  to  travel  in, 
besides  being  injurious  to  the  feet. 

In  sandy  localities,  or  on  marshes,  or  in  winter  when  the 
snow  covers  the  jrround,  Indian  moccasons  are  the  easiest 
and  best  things  that  can  possibly  be  worn  ;  but  in  stony 
places  they  are  not  of  sufficient  thickness  to  protect  the 
feet  from  receiving  injury  from  the  hard  surface,'  other- 
wise they  are  exceedingly  easy.  They  are  not  water-proof, 


16  THE   NATURALIST'S   GUIDE. 

BO  that  unless  the  snow  is  frozen  in  winter  they  are  of  no 
use.  These  mocctisons  win  be  procured  almost  anywhere 
in  Maine  and  New  Hampshire,  and  sometimes  in  Boston. 
They  are  manufactured  mostly  in  Canada.  For  clothes, 
perhaps  the  best  that  can  be  worn  in  summer  is  a  suit 
of  fine  canvas  of  some  dark  color,  to  correspond  with  the 
foliage;  in  winter,  white,  to  correspond  with  the  snow; 
in  both  cases  the  wearer  is  less  conspicuous,  and  can  ap- 
proach his  game  much  more  readily.  This  cloth  will  not 
wear  out  or  tear  easily,  and  is  every  way  fitted  for  travel- 
ling in  the  woods. 

1  would  next  call  attention  to  making  stands  on  which 
to  put  birds  after  they  have  been  mounted,  as  one  of  the 
necessities  of  the  cabinet.  Simple  stands  in  the  form  of 
the  letter  T  (Plate  VIII.  Fig.  3,  f)  are  generally  wanted. 
Any  carpenter  can  make  them.  Different  sizes  will  1.6 
needed,  from  one  with  the  standard  two  inches  high  with  a 
cross-piece  one  inch  long,  to  a  foot  standard  \\  ith  a  six-incli 
cross-piece,  with  bottoms  to  match.  If  made  of  pine,  these 
stands  may  be  painted  white,  of  a  very  pure  unchanging 
color,  in  the  following  manner.  Buy  white  zinc  at  thirty 
cents  per  pound,  and  nice  frozen  glue  at  from  twenty -five 
to  thirty  cents  per  pound ;  dissolve  the  glue  thoroughly  in 
hot  water,  then  strain ;  to  a  pint  and  a  half  of  water  use  a 
quarter  of  a  pound  of  glue,  to  this  add  one  pound  of  zinc, 
stir  well,  with  the  vessel  that  contains  it  in  boiling  water, 
then,  with  a  brush,  apply  to  the  stands ;  put  on  two  coats. 
If  the  paint  has  a  yellowish  cast,  put  in  a  few  drops  of 
bluing ;  it  will  change  it  at  once.  Thus  you  will  find 
that  you  have  a  nice  white  coat  of  paint  that  will  remain 
unchanged  longer  than  oil  colors.  Any  other  color  can  be 
used,  if  preferred,  in  the  same  manner. 

"Fancy  stands  are  made  in  the  following  way.  For  mossy 
stands,  select  a  wooden  bottom  of  suitable  shape  and  size, — - 
those  with  the  edges  bevelled  are  generally  used,  —  and 


MATERIALS,   ETC.  17 

with  the  pliers  force  a  piece  of  wire  into  it  in  the  centre, 
then  bend  the  wire  in  imitation  of  a  branch  or  smill  tree, 
then  wind  it  with  hemp  to  give  it  the  required  shape  ; 
additional  wires  may  be  fastened  on  to  represent  the  smaller 
twigs. 

The  whole  is  now  to  be  covered  with  a  coating  of  glue, 
and  sprinkled  with  pulverized  moss,  or  small  pieces  of 
moss  are  placed  upon  it  smoothly.  If  the  work  is  per- 
formed neatly,  a  perfect  imitation  of  a  little  tree  will  be  the 
result,  upon  which  the  bird  is  placed.  If  artificial  leaves 
are  to  be  used,  they  may  be  placed  upon  the  twigs  with 
glue. 

If,  instead  of  a  wire,  a  twig  bent  in  the  required  form 
can  be  procured,  and  fastened  to  the  bottom  with  wire, 
it  may  be  covered  with  moss  without  winding  with  hemp. 
The  fancy  stands  seen  with  dealers  in  birds  are  generally 
made  of  a  substance  called  papier-mache,  that  is,  manu- 
factured of  paper  pulp  and  glue  as  follows  :  Tear  paper 
in  small  pieces  and  place  it  in  water,  let  it  stand  over- 
night. Then,  as  it  will  be  entirely  soaked,  reduce  it  to 
a  perfect  pulp,  either  by  forcing  it  through  a  sieve  or  by 
stirring  it.  When  reduced  to  a  pulp,  drain  the  water 
away.  Dissolve  a  quarter  of  a  pound  of  glue  in  a  pint  of 
water  ;  mix  with  this  a  pint  of  pulp,  heat  it,  and  stir  it 
well ;  then  it  is  ready  for  use.  Prepare  a  stand  as  de- 
scribed. Mould  the  pulp  upon  it  in  any  shape  to  suit 
The  fancy.  It  should  have  the  consistency  of  putty,  in 
order  to  work  well.  If  it  is  too  thin,  put  in  more  of  the 
pulp  •.  if  too  dry,  more  water. 

With  this  substance  you  can  imitate  almost  anything  in 
the  shape  of  miniature  trees,  with  hollows,  knots,  crooked 
limbs,  etc.  By  drawing  over  the  whole,  when  finished,  a 
comb,  the  bark  of  a  tree  can  be  imitated  exactly.  When 
perfectly  dry,  the  limbs  of  the  tree  can  be  painted  brown 
in  the  manner  described.  The  bottom  of  the  stand  is 


18  THE  NATURALISTS   GUIDE. 

painted  green,  and  sprinkled  with  a  substance  resembling 
green  sand,  called  "  sinolt,"  which  may  be  procured  at 
the  painter's  ;  over  this  is  sometimes  sprinkled  thin  glass, 
broken  tine,  which  is  called  " frosting,"  and  is  also  used  by 
painters. 

Rocks  can  be  imitated  well  with  papier-mache.  If  stud- 
ded with  small  pieces  of  quartz  the  effect  is  heightened ; 
they  then  may  be  painted  in  imitation  of  granite,  sand- 
stone, etc.  The  sandstone  is  easily  imitated  by  sprinkling 
on  sand  before  the  pulp  is  dry.  There  are  many  other 
things  that  may  be  imitated  with  this  wonderful  substance, 
but,  having  given  the  preceding  hints,  I  leave  the  reader  to 
experiment  at  his  leisure  upon  them. 

For  the  scientific  cabinet  I  would  advise  the  use  of 
the  plain  white  stands  as  being  much  neater.  The  others 
are  only  fit  for  ornament. 

One  other  thing  is  necessary.  Take  a  thin  board,  and 
at  intervals  of  two  inches  tack  transversely  strips  of  wood 
(Plate  IV.  Fig.  1);  then  cut  a  strip  of  paper  as  wide  as 
the  board,  and  with  glue  make  it  adhere  at  the  top  of  the 
strips  and  at  the  middle  of  the  intervening  space,  so  as  to 
form  a  corrugated  appearance  (Fig.  2).  These  are  used  in 
drying  skins  of  birds.  Each  board  should  have  about 
twelve  such  spaces,  varying  in  width  from  two  to  four 
inches,  the  boards  varying  in  width  from  four  inches  to 
one  foot.  These  Ixmrds,  with  careful  use,  will  last  a  long 
time: 

SECTION  III.  Measuring,  Skinning,  and  Preserving  Birds. 
—  For  measuring,  a  pair  of  dividers,  or  compasses,  a  steel 
rule,  divided  into  hundredths  of  an  inch,  and  a  longer 
rule,  divided  into  inches  and  half-inches,  will  be  wanted. 
To  measure  the  bird,  proceed  as  follows  :  Place  the  bird 
upon  its  back  upon  the  longer  rule,  with  the  end  of  the 
tail  at  the  end  of  the  rule;  the  neck  is  stretched  at  full 
length,  without  straining ;  the  bill  must  be  pointed  with 


THE  ART   OF  PRESERVING   BIRDS. 


ly 


g 


a 


e 


Plate  II. 


20  THE   NATURALIST'S   GUIDE. 

the  rule.  Record  the  number  of  inches  upon  a  strip  of 
paper ;  if  there  is  a  fractional  part  of  an  inch,  measure  it 
with  the  dividers,  and  find  how  many  hundredths  it  con- 
tains upon  the  smaller  rule,  and  record  it.  This  is  "the 
length  of  the  bird." 

Stretch  the  wings  out  to  the  full  length,  with  the  bird 
still  upon  its  back;  measure  these  from  tip  to  tip  as  "the 
stretch  of  wing."  Measure  the  wing  from  the  tip  to  the 
carpel  joint,  or  bend,  with  the  dividers  (Plate  X.  d),  for  "the 
length  of  the  wing."  The  tail  is  to  be  measured  —  also 
with  the  dividers  —  from  the  tip  to  the  root  for  "the 
length  of  the  tail."  Measure  the  tarsus  (Plate  VII.  g)  as 
"  the  length  of  the  tarsus."  Measure  the  bill,  from  the  tip 
of  the  upper  mandible  to  the  base  (if  the  base  is  not  well 
defined,  as  in  the  Ducks,  measure  to  the  feathers) ;  this  is 
"the  length  of  bill  along  the  culmen"  (Plate  III.  h). 
Measure  from  the  tip  of  the  upper  mandible  to  the  gape 
(e)  for  "  the  1  jngth  from  gape " ;  also  from  the  tip  of 
the  lower  mandible  to  the  angle  of  the  gonys  (s)  for  "  the 
length  of  gonys "  (c).  In  the  Hawks,  measure  to  the 
cere. 

The  color  of  the  eyes,  feet,  and  bill  is  now  observed 
and  recor.led,  also  the  date  of  collection  and  the  locality  in 
which  the  bird  was  collected.  If  the  bird  is  in  worn  plu- 
mage, the  fact  should  be  recorded,  as  this  will  affect  the 
measurements  ;  also  if  it  is  moulting  or  in  perfect  plu- 
mage. As  the  rec  >rds  now  made  are  only  temporary,  signs 

may  be  used  to  save  time,  such  as  X would  denote  an 

adult  bird  in  perfect  plumage,  Y| would  denote  a 

young  bird  in  worn  plumage,  YY| 1  would  denote  a 

young  bird  not  a  year  old  and  moulting, — this  stage  in  the 
life  of  the  bird  is  called  the  "young-of-the-year."  By 
using  some  such  signs  as  these  much  time  will  be  saved. 
When  the  collector  becomes  expert  at  measuring,  he  will 
find  that  all  small  birds  can  be  measured  and  recorded  in 


THE  ART   OF   PRESERVING   BIRDS.  21 


22  THE   NATURALIST'S   GUIDE, 

about  three  minutes,  and  the  larger  ones  in  a  little  longer 
time. 

Skinning.  —  First,  have  plenty  of  plaster  near  at  hand, 
liemove  the  cotton  from  the  mouth  and  vent,  -and  place 
a  fresh  plug  in  the  mouth  alone.  The  method  now  about 
to  be  described  is  one  that  will  apply  to  all  birds,  excepting 
those  to  be  hereafter  named. 

Place  the  bird  upon  its  back ;  with  the  forefinger  and 
thumb  part  the  feathers  on  the  abdomen,  and  a  bare  longi- 
tudinal space  will  be  discovered,  extending  from  the  breast 
to  the  vent.  With  the  scalpel  divide  the  skin  in  the 
centre  of  this  bare  space,  commencing  at  the  lower  part  of 
the  breast-bone,  or  sternum  (Plate  X.  o),  arid  ending  at  the 
vent.  Now  peel  the  skin  off  to  the  right  and  left,  and 
sprinkle  plaster  upon  the  exposed  abdomen.  Force  the 
leg  on  the  right  side  up  under  the  skin,  at  the  same  time 
drawing  the  skin  down  until  the  joint  (p)  appears ;  cut 
through  this  joint  and  draw  the  leg  out  as  far  as  the 
tarsus  or  first  joint  (k) ;  with  the  point  of  the  knife  sever 
the  tendons  on  the  lower  part  of  the  leg,  then  by  a  single 
scraping  motion  upwards  they  may  all  be  removed,  com- 
pletely baring  the  bone  ;  treat  the  other  leg  in  a  like  man- 
ner, leaving  both  turned  out  as  they  were  skinned.  Place 
the  finger  under  the  rump  near  the  tail,  then  with  the 
scalpel  cut  through  the  backbone  just  in  front  of  the  coc- 
cygus  (n)  entirely  through  the  flesh  to  the  skin,  —  the 
finger  beneath  is  a  guide  to  prevent  cutting  the  skin.  This 
may  be  done  very  quickly  after  long  practice,  and  there 
is  no  danger  of  severi»,g  the  skin  if  proper  care  be  used. 
Put  on  a  fresh  supply  of  plaster.  Now  grasp  the  end  of 
the  backbone  firmly  between  the  thumb  and  forefinger, 
and  with  the  other  hand  pull  the  skin  down  on  all  sides 
towards  the  head,  until  the  joint  of  the  wing,  where  the 
last  bone,  or  humerus  (r),  is  joined  to  the  body,  appears ; 
sever  the  bones  at  this  joint,  and  draw  the  skin  down 


THE  ART   OF   PRESERVING  BIRDS.  23 

over  the  neck  arid  head.  When  the  ears  appear,  with 
the  thumb-nail  remove  the  skin  that  adheres  closely  to 
the  skull  without  breaking  it,  pull  down  to  the  eyes,  then 
cut  the  skin  off  close  to  the  eyelids,  taking  care  not  to 
cut  or  injure  them;  but  be  sure  and  cut  close  enough  to 
remove  the  nictating  membrane,  as  it  will  otherwise  cause 
trouble.  Skin  well  down  to  the  base  of  the  bill.  Re- 
move the  eye  with  the  point  of  the  knife  by  thrusting 
it  down  at  the  side  between  the  eye  and  the  socket,  then 
with  a  motion  upward  it  can  be  removed  without  breaking ; 
cut  oft'  enough  of  the  back  part  of  the  skull  to  remove  the 
brains  easily.  Proceed  to  skin  the  wings;  draw  them  out 
until  the  forearm  (Plate  X.  d)  appears,  to  which  the  sec- 
ondaries are  attached;  with  the  thumb-nail  detach  them 
by  pressing  downward  forcibly.  Remove  the  muscles  and 
tendons  — as  explained  on  the  leg  —  to  the  joint,  where 
the  forearm  joins  the  humerus  (B),  then  divide,  removing 
the  liumerus  entirely. 

Now  open  the  drawer  containing  the  arsenic,  and  with 
a  small  flat  piece  of  wood  cover  the  skin  completely  with 
it ;  be  sure  that  the  cavities  from  which  the  brains  and 
eyes  were  removed  are  filled.  Take  up  the  skin  and 
shake  it  gently.  The  arsenic  that  remains  adhering  to  it 
is  sufficient  to  preserve  it,  provided  the  skin  is  damp 
enough  ;  if  not,  it  may  be  moistened  slightly.  Now  fill  the 
eye-holes  *  with  cotton,  tie  the  wing-bones  with  thread,  as 
near  together  as  the  back  of  the  bird  was  broad,  then 
turn  the  skin  back  into  its  former  position.  Smooth  the 
feathers  of  the  head  and  wings  with  the  fingers.  With  a 
few  strokes  of  the  feather  duster,  holding  the  skin  up  by 
the  bill,  remove  the  plaster  and  arsenic  that  may  be  ad- 
hering to  the  feathers. 

If  there  is  blood  upon  the  feathers,  it  may  be  removed 
—  if  there  is  not  much  of  it,  and  if  it  is  dry  —  with  the 
"     *  By  which  I  mean  the  holes  occupied  by  the  eyes  in  the  skull 


24  THE  NATURALIST'S   GUIDE. 

stiff  brush  by  continuous  brushing,  assisted  by  scraping 
with  the  thumb-nail.  A  living  bird  cleans  blood  from  its 
plumage  by  drawing  each  feather  separately  through  its 
beak,  thereby  scraping  off  the  blood  ;  the  thumb-nail 
performs  the  part  of  the  bill.  If  much  bloody,  with  a  soft 
sponge  and  water  wash  away  all  traces  of  blood  ;  then 
throw  plaster  upon  the  wet  spot,  and  remove  it  before  it 
has  time  to  harden  or  *'  set."  By  repeating  this  opera- 
tion, at  the  same  time  lifting  the  feathers  so  as  to  allow 
the  plaster  to  dry  every  part,  and  by  using  the  soft  brush, 
the  feathers  will  soon  dry.  In  this  way  any  stains  may  be 
removed. 

If  the  plumage  is  greasy,  wash  it  with  warm  water  and 
strong  soap  long  enough  to  remove  every  particle  of  fatty 
matter  that  adheres  to  the  feathers ;  then  rinse  thorouyltlj 
in  warm  water,  afterwards  in  cold.  Be  sure  and  remove 
all  traces  of  the  soap  before  putting  on  the  plaster  to  dry, 
as  the  soap  will  be  changed  by  the  plaster  into  a  gummy 
substance,  which  will  be  very  difficult  to  remove. 

After  smoothing  the  feathers  carefully,  place  the  skin 
upon  its  back.  With  the  tweezers  take  up  a  small  roll 
of  hemp  or  cotton,  as  large  round  and  as  long  as  the  neck  of 
the  body  that  was  taken  out,  and  place  it  in  the  neck  of 
the  skin,  taking  care  that  the  throat  is  well  filled  out ;  th^n, 
by  grasping  the  neck  on  each  side  with  the  thumb  and 
finger,  the  hemp  or  cotton  may  be  held  in  place,  and  tho 
tweezers  withdrawn.  After  placing  the  wings  in  the  same 
position  as  'he  bird  would  have  them  when  at  rest,  with 
the  bones  of  the  forearm  pushed  well  into  the  skin,  — so  that 
they  may  lie  down  each  side,  and  not  cross  each  other,  — 
with  a  needle  and  thread  sew  through  the  skin  and  the 
first  quill  of  the  primaries  by  pushing  the  needle  through 
the  skin  on  the  inside  and  through  the  quill  opposite,  but 
be  sure  that  the  wing  is  in  the  proper  place.  (If  it  is  too  far 
forward,  the  feathers  of  the  sides  of  the  breast,  that  ought  to 


THE    ART    OF    PRESERVING    BIRDS.  25 

lie  smoothly  over  the  bend  of  the  wing,  will  be  forced  up 
and  backward.  If  the  wing  is  placed  too  far  back,  there 
will  be  a  bare  spot  upon  the  side  of  the  neck,  —  caused  by 
the  wing-coverts,  which  help,  in  connection  with  the  feath- 
ers of  the  back,  to  hide  the  spot,  being  drawn  either 
down  or  back  too  far.  If  the  wing  is  placed  too  low,  the 
same  spot  is  seen,  only  it  is  elongated  and  extends  along 
the  back  between  the  secondaries  and  feathers  of  the  back  ; 
if  too  high,  the  feathers  of  the  back  will  appear  pushed  up, 
and  will  not  lie  smooth  for  obvious  reasons.  When  the 
wing  is  in  the  right  position,  the  feathers  of  the  wing- 
coverts  and  back  will  blend  nicely  and  smoothly,  and  the 
feathers  of  the  sides  of  the  breast  will  lie  smoothly  over 
the  bend  of  the  wing  ;  the  ends  of  the  closed  quills  will 
lie  flat  upon  the  tail,  or  nearly  so.)  Now  draw  the  thread 
through  so  that  but  an  inch  is  visible  inside  the  skin, 
then  push  the  needle  through  the  skin  from  the  outside 
just  below  the  quill  that  it  came  out  through,  draw  the 
thread  through,  and  tie  to  the  projecting  end,  thereby 
fastening  the  wing  firmly  to  the  side  ;  proceed  in  this  way 
with  the  other  wing. 

Roll  up  loosely  an  oblong  body  of  cotton  or  hemp  of 
the  same  size  as  the  body  taken  out,  place  it  in  the  skin 
neatly,  then  draw  the  edges  of  the  skin  together  where  the 
incision  was  made,  and  sew  them  once  in  the  centre  ;  tie 
the  ends  of  the  thread  together.  Take  care  to  put  the 
needle  through  the  etfye  of  the  skin  so  as  not  to  disturb  the 
feathers.  Smooth  the  feathers  on  the  abdomen.  Cross 
the  feet  upon  the  tail  (Plate  IV.  Fig.  3),  — which  is  spread 
slightly,  —  then  place  tne  sirni  upon  its  back  in  the 
rounded  places  of  the  drying-board,  spoken  of  on  page 
18  (Fig.  1,  d),  taking  care  that  the  feathers  of  the 
back  are  perfectly  smooth.  This  rounded  bed  gives  the 
back  a  natural  rounded  appearance,  which  cannot  be 
mndo  ensilv  in  any  other  WAJ.  Place  the  head  with  t.ho 


26 


THE  NAllKALlSl'S   GUIDE. 


Fig.  2 


THE   ART   OF  PRESERVING   BIRDS.  27 

bill  horizontal  with  the  back  or  bottom  of  the  rounded 
space,  with  the  culmen  (Plate  IV.,  Fig.  1,  d)  nearly  touch* 
ing  the  paper.  The  skin  must  remain  in  this  position 
without  being  disturbed  until  perfectly  dry,  which  in  very 
warm  weather,  with  small  birds,  will  be  in  about  twenty- 
four  hours. 

If  this  corrugated  board  cannot  be  procured,  the  skin 
may  be  placed  on  its  back  upon  a  flat  surface,  with  a 
little  cotton  on  each  side  of  it  to  prevent  its  getting  dis*- 
placed.  This  is  what  is  technically  termed  "  a  skin  ? 
(Fig.  3),  and  this  method  of  making  them  is  the  best  I 
have  ever  seen  practised,  and  one  that  I  have  used  for 
years  as  being  the  most  expedient.  The  skins  so  made 
are  less  liable  to  injury,  being  stronger  than  some  others, 
and  are  also  very  easily  mounted.  I  have  made  in  a 
single  day,  in  the  manner  described,  fifty  skins,  and  with 
practice  almost  any  one  will  be  able  to  do  the  same ;  teii 
minutes  being  ample  time  for  each,  including  the  meas- 
uring. 

Before  the  skin  is  placed  upon  the  board,  it  should  l»e 
labelled  (Fig.  3,  £)  with  a  number  corresponding  to  the 
one  placed  upon  the  slip  of  paper  containing  the  meas- 
urements, etc.,  marked  also  for  the  sex  of  the  bird,  which 
is  done  by  using  for  the  male  the  sign  of  the  planet 
Mars,  thus  <$  ;  for  the  female  the  sign  of  the  planet 
Venus  is  used,  thus  9-  These  signs  are  used  by  natural- 
ists throughout  the  scientific  world,  and  it  is  best  to  be- 
come accustomed  to  them. 

Determining  the.  Sex.  —  The  sex  of  the  bird  is  determined, 
not  by  the  plumage,  which  will  sometimes  set  tho  student 
at  fault  by  its  changes,  and  should  never  be  trusted  m  de- 
termining the  sex,  but  by  dissection,  as  follows  :  Take  the 
body  of  the  bird  after  it  has  been  removed,  and  cut  with 
the  scalpel  through  the  ribs  (Plate  X.  A)  on  the  sid^s 
of  the  abdomen,  thereby  exposing  the  intestines ;  raise 


28  THE   NATURALIST'S   GUIDE. 

•these  gently  with  the  point  of  the  knife,  and  beneath  them 
will  be  seen  the  sexual  organs,  which  are  fully  illustrated 
in  the  following  diagrams. 

PLATE  V.,  Fig.  2,  is  an  adult  male  (£)  in  the  breeding 
season.  1  shows  the  position  of  the  lungs,  2  the  pecu- 
liar yellowish  glands,  —  in  some  birds  bright  yellow,  in  the 
present  case — that  of  a  song  sparrow  (Mdospiza  melodin. 
Baird)  —  they  are  yellowish  white,  which,  being  present 
in  both  sexes,  if  not  examined  closely,  may  be  easily  mis 
taken,  in  the  young  female,  for  the  testicles  of  the  male. 
3,  3,  are  the  testicles,  much  enlarged  in  this,  the  breeding 
season.  The  sex  of  a  bird  in  this  stage  is  easily  deter- 
Inined. 

.,"    PLATE  VI.,  Fig.  1,  is  a  young  male  (<J)-i'n  the-  youn«r- 
of-the-year  plumage.     The  figures  refer  to  the  same  parts 
as  explained  in  the  preceding.     It  will  be  perceived  tlmt 
'the  testicles  (3)  are  much  smaller.     At  different  seasons. 
the  testicles  vary  in  size  between  this  and  the  preceding. 
In  some  birds   they   are   elongated,    and   black    in  color, 
'as  in  the  Herons;  but  they  always  occupy  the  same  posi- 
tions so  nearly  as  to  be  readily  distinguished.     The  pecu- 
liar white  glands  (2)  are  in  this  instance  very,  prominent, 
•  but  they  are  readily  known  in  all  birds  by  their  being  flat, 
"while  the  testicles  are  always  spherical.          . 
»'•.     PLATE  V.,  Fig.  1.     This  is  an  adult  fetiiale  (9)  in  the 
•breeding  season.    1,1,  are  the  same  peculiar  glands  observed 
in  the  males ;    2  is  the  ovary,  a  mass  of  spheres  at  this 
season  quite  yellow  and  prominent ;  3  is  the   oviduct,  or 
,  :egg-passage,  much  enlarged  in  the  present  case,  as  it  always 
<•  is  during  the  breeding  season,  when  it  assumes  a  thick, 
swollen  appearance,  while  at  other  times  it  is  translucent, 
'.  much  smaller,  and  resembles  a  narrow,  whitish  line,  not 
r  readily  perceived.  : 

fr     ;PLATE  VI.,  Fig.  2,  is  a  young-of-the-year  female  rinau- 
c-  tuinn. .:.:.!,  1,  the  same  white  glands  that  at  this  stage"0f  the 


THE   ART   OF   PRESERVING   BiRDS. 


Plate  V. 


30 


THE  ttAiUKALtePS   GUIDE. 


Pig. 

Young  0 


Plate  VL 


THE  ART   OF   PRESERVING  BIRDS.  31 

bird's  life  might  at  first  sight  be  mistaken  for  the  testicles 
of  the  male,  but,  upon  looking  closely  the  ovary  (2)  can 
be  perceived,  very  small ;  upon  applying  a  magnifying-glass 
it  appears  granular. 

With  these  remarks  and  diagrams,  I  think  any  one  with 
ordinary  ability  will,  with  a  little  practice,  be  able  to  de- 
termine this  very  important  character  in  the  scientific 
study  of  birds. 

Contents  of  Stomach,  etc.  —  The  contents  of  the  stomach 
must  next  be  examined,  which  is  done  by  opening  the  giz- 
zard and  crop.  A  little  practice  will  enable  the  collector 
to  state  correctly  what  it  contains,  although  the  glass  is 
sometimes  necessary,  as  in  the  case  of  small  birds.  This 
is  then  recorded  upon  the  slip  of  paper,  which  is  put  on 
file,  to  be  copied  into  a  book,  in  the  following  manner,  — 
leaving  a  page,  or,  if  the  book  is  not  wide  enough,  two 
pages,  for  each  species,  —  first  placing  the  scientific  name  at 
the  head,  as  seen  on  the  following  page. 

A  book  prepared  in  this  manner,  carefully  indexed  and 
paged,  will,  when  it  is  filled  with  the  measurements  of 
birds,  be  of  immense  value  for  comparative  measurements, 
besides  giving  the  collector  a  complete  history  of  each  of 
his  specimens. 

Exceptions  to  the,  usual  Method  of  Skinning.  —  All  birds 
are  to  be  prepared  in  the  preceding  manner,  with  the  fol- 
lowing exceptions. 

All  Woodpeckers  with  a  large  head  and  small  neck  —  of 
which  the  Pileated  Woodpecker  (Hylotomus  pileattis,  Baird) 
is  an  example  —  should  be  skinned  in  the  same  manner  as 
far  as  the  neck,  which  should  be  severed,  as  it  is  impos- 
sible to  turn  the  skin  over  the  head ;  cut  through  the  skin 
on  the  back  of  the  head,  making  a  longitudinal  insertion 
of  an  inch  or  more,  and  draw  the  head  through  this.  It 
should  be  carefully  sewn  up  after  the  skin  is  turned  back. 
Such  specimens,  when  laid  out  to  dry,  should  have  the 


32 


THE   NATURALIST'S   GUIDE. 


•nig  jo  aopo 


•ma 


•3 

0! 

! 


•IPX 


jo 


o 


Of 


I 

I 


rH   5 


THE   ART   OF    PKKSKRVING   BIRDS.  33 

head  so  placed  that  the  bill  is  turned  at  right  angles  with 
the  body,  with  the  head  resting  on  one  side,  and  not  on  the 
back  as  before. 

All  Ducks  with  large  heads  should  be  skinned  in  the 
same  way,  with  the  exception  that  the '  insertion  must  be 
made  under  the  head,  on  the  throat.  Ducks,  Herons,  Geese, 
large  Sandpipers,  and  all  other  long-necked  birds,  should, 
when  placed  to  dry,  rest  upon  the  breast,  with  the  head 
and  neck  placed  upon  the  back,  and  the  head  turned  on 
one  side.  Herons  with  very  long  necks  should  have  them 
bent  once.  The  bill  must  be  placed  parallel  with  the  neck 
and  pointing  forward. 

While  travelling  it  is  not  always  convenient  to  fill  out 
the  bodies  of  large  birds  ;  it  is  better  to  pack  them  flat, 
with  but  little  cotton  in  them,  — just  enough,  however,  to 
keep  the  opposite  parts  of  the  skin  from  coming  in  contact. 
The  neck  should  always  be  filled.  When  it  is  impossible 
to  procure  stuffing  for  small  birds,  they  may  be  packed  flat  ^ 
also. 

Birds  that  have  been  preserved  with  carbolic  acid,  even 
after  they  have  been  lying  for  years,  and  have  become 
perfectly  dry,  may  be  skinned  in  the  following  manner : 
Place  wet  cotton  or  hemp  under  the  wings,  in  the  throat, 
and  around  the  legs,  and  finally  envelop  the  whole  body 
in  a  thick  coating.  Place  it  in  a  close  box,  and  let  it 
remain  a  day  or  two  until  it  is  softened,  then  take  it  out 
and  remove  the  skin  as  before  directed ;  but  more  care  will 
have  to  be  exercised  than  in  skinning  fresh  birds.  Alco- 
holic specimens  may  be  skinned;  but  the  wet  plumage  had 
better  be  dried  in  the  air  without  plaster.  Mr.  A.  L.  Bab- 
cock  has  a  number  of  mounted  birds  in  his  collection  at 
Sherborne,  Massachusetts,  that  were  preserved  in  alcohol, 
and  sent  from  South  America, 

The  beginner   will    find  that   some   birds,   such  as  the 
Cuckoos,  Pigeons,  and  Doves,  are  very  difficult  to  skin  over 
2*  c 


34  THE   NATURALIST'S   GUIDE. 

the  rump  without  loosening  the  feathers;  but  this  difficulty 
will  be  overcome  by  using  particular  care  while  skinning  the 
spot  that  is  tender.  Some  birds  also  have  tender  skin  on 
the  breast,  and  in  such  cases  it  almost  always  adheres  so 
closely  to  the  flesh  that  it  is  necessary  to  cut  it  away ; 
this  operation  is  somewhat  tedious,  but  it  is  better  than 
to  risk  tearing  the  skin  by  pulling  it.  An  example  of  this 
is  sometimes  seen  in  the  Wood  Duck. 

The  best  time  to  skin  a  bird  is  as  soon  as  it  is  shot, 
when  the  muscles  are  relaxed,  as  the  plumage  is  then  in 
the  best  condition.  In  a  short  time  the  muscles  become 
rigid,  when  it  is  extremely  difficult  to  remove  the  skin; 
but  the  muscles  soon  relax  again,  and  then  you  must  skin 
at  once,  as  this  is  the  first  stage  —  or  the  state  imme- 
diately preceding  the  first  stage  —  of  decomposition.  In 
very  warm  weather  this  rigidness  of  the  muscles  sel- 
dom occurs,  then  the  bird  rapidly  decomposes.  In  warm 
weather,  birds  should  be  kept  on  ice  until  wanted;  for  if 
a  bird  remains  only  an  hour  in  a  warm  room,  or  in  the 
sun,  it  will  sometimes  spoil,  especially  if  the  blow-flies 
are  allowed  access  to  it.  There  is  a  species  of  blow-fly 
that  is  viviparous  ;  I  have  seen  such  a  fly  alight  upon 
a  fresh  bird,  and,  after  introducing  her  ovipositor  into  the 
mouth  of  the  specimen,  exude  an  immense  number  of  liv- 
ing, though  minute,  maggots.  These  maggots  spread  over 
the  skin  in  all  directions,  moistening  it  with  their  slimy 
bodies,  and  soon  render  the  specimen  unfit  for  use  by 
loosening  the  feathers. 

It  is  difficult  to  remove  the  eggs  of  the  common  blow- 
fly when  they  are  once  placed  upon  the  feathers.  It  is 
much  better  to  prevent  the  flies  from  attacking  specimens 
—  which,  if  they  are  exposed  during  warm  weather,  they 
will  do  very  quickly  —  by  covering  them,  or  placing  them 
immediately  upon  ice. 

SECTION    IV.    Mounting   Specimens.  —  Almost    any  one 


THE   WAY    TO  MOUNT   BIRDS.  35 


Plate  VII. 


:£6  -THE   NATURALIST'S   GUIDE. 

can  mount  a  bird,  after  receiving  proper  instruction  ;  but 
to  make  it  look  lifelike  and  natural  requires  constant  and 
unceasing  study  of  birds  in  their  native  haunts.  The  true 
art,  then,  can  only  be  acquired  by  the  earnest  student 
of  nature.  The  mere  taxidermist,  who  constantly  sits  at 
his  bench  and  works  on  birds  without  studying  from  na- 
ture, may  acquire  a  certain  degree  of  skill,  but  the  atti- 
tudes of  many  of  his  stuffed  birds  will  appear  awkward  and 
grotesque  to  the  naturalist. 

Therefore  I  say  tio  those  who  would  learn  to  mount  birds 
in  natural  attitudes,  study  nature..  Have  all  attitudes  that 
every  bird  assumes  engraved  upon  the  brain,  to  be  repro- 
duced in  the  stuffed  specimens;  from  the  one  assumed 
by  the  delicate  Warbler,  that  hops  lightly  from  limb  to 
limb,  or  swings  gracefully  from  the  topmost  bough  of  some 
tall  oak,  to  that  of  the  mighty  Eagle  in  his  eager,  down- 
ward swoop  upon  his  trembling  prey.  Watch  the  scream- 
ing Gull  in  his  almost  innumerable  positions  upon  the  wing, 
the  nimble  Sandpiper  running  along  the  shore,  and  the 
gracefully  floating  Duck  upon  the  water.  After  watching 
these  in  their  various  natural  attitudes,  work  ;  but  dp  not 
cease  to  study  for  improvement,  for  the  work  of  man  is  yet 
far  from  being  perfect. 

In  mounting  birds,  skin  as  instructed  in  the  preceding 
section,  but  do  not  tie  the  wing-bones  together.  Having 
cleaned  and  dusted  the  feathers,  proceed  to  fill  the  neck  to 
the  natural  size,  without  stretching,  with  "  shorts,"  or  the 
bran  from  wheat  flour,  or  with  hemp  cut  fine.  Roll  up 
some  fine  grass  moderately  hard  in  the  shape  of  an  oblong 
body  (Plate  VIII.  Figs.  1,  2),  then  wind  it  smoothly  with 
thread.  This  body  should  be  of  the  same  proportionate 
size  as  the  one  taken  out,  although  not  exactly  of  the  same 
shape,  for  reasons  that  will  be  seen  when  the  bird  is 
mounted,  but  which  cannot  be  easily  explained.  Have  the 
body  perfectly  smooth,  and  the  curves  regular  on  every  part. 


THE   WAY   TO   MOUNT   BIRDS.  37 

Place  the  body  inside  the  skin.  Now  cut  wires  of  the 
right  size  (that  is,  large  enough  to  support  the  bird  when 
mounted ;  which  can  be  learned  by  experience,  although  I 
would  advise  putting  in  as  large  wires  as  can  be  used  with- 
o,.t  splitting  the  skin  of  the  tarsi)  and  proper  length  for  the 
wiring  of  the  following  parts  :  to  go  through  the  legs,  for 
the  neck,  and  for  the  tail.  Straighten  the  wires  by  rolling 
them  on  the  bench  with  a  file,  then  sharpen  them  by  hold- 
ing the  end  obliquely  against  the  edge  of  the  bench  and 
filing  from  you,  at  the  same  time  twisting  the  wire  ;  force 
the  wire  cut  for  the  leg  up  through  the  sole  of  the  foot, 
through  the  tarsus,  along  the  leg-bone  into  the  centre  of 
the  side  of  the  grass  body  (Plate  VIII.  Fig.  1,  a),  through 
this  so  that  the  end  will  protrude  for  an  inch;  bend  the 
end  down  in.  the  .form  of  an  L  (Fig:  1,  b),  and  again  force 
it  into  the  body  (;Figf  1,  c),  thereby  clinching  it  so  that  it 
can  have  no  motion  whatever.  The  wire  should  protrude 
out  of  the  sole  at  least  two  inches  (Fig.  I,  d). 

Proceed  in  the  same  manner  with  the  other  .leg;  if  this 
seems  difficult  at  first,  practice  will  soon  overcome  the 
difficulty.  Be  sure  and  clinch  the  wires  firmly,  as  they 
will  otherwise  cause  trouble.  Force  the  wire  cut  for  the 
head  down  through  the  skull  near  the  base  of  the  bill 
(Fig.  3,  g)  through  the  neck,  —  but  it  must  not  come  out 
through  the  sjdn  anywhere,  —  through  the  body  ^Fig.  1,  e), 
out  the  other  jside,  where  it  is  clinched  as  before  f-Fig.  1,  c). 
Force  the  wire  cut  for  the  tail  through  the  bone  left  in 
the  tail,  and  under  the  tail,, .into  the\  body  (Fig.  1,  f); 
clinch  as  usual  (Fig.  3,  g).  Bend  the  wir^c— which  should 
protrude  alxmt  two  inches  beyond  the  end  Q^  the  tail  — 
into  the  form  of  a  T  (Fig.  1,  h);  tile  cross-piece  is  placed 
about  half  the  length  of  the  tail ;  on  this  the  tail  rests. 
Pin  up  the  incision  by  drawing  the  edges  of  the  skin 
together  and  forcing  pins' thi-ou^i  them  into  the  body; 
then  smooth  the  feathers  over  the  place. 


THE  NATURALIST'S   GUIDE. 


Fag.  2 


Plate  VIH. 


THE   WAY    TO   MOUNT   BIRDS.  39 

Fasten  the  bird  upon  the  stand  by  passing  the  wires  of 
the  feet  through  the  holes  in  the  cross-piece  (Plate  VIII.  Fig. 
3,  h),  then  twist  the  ends  of  the  wire  around  the  ends  of  the 
cross-piece  (Fig.  3,  s)  to  fasten  it  firmly.  Place  the  bird  in 
position  with  the  tarsi  inclining  backward  (Fig.  3,  i),  so  that 
a  line  dropped  from  the  back  of  the  head,  passing  through 
the  b».dy,  would  pass  down  the  centreof  the  stand  (Fig.  3,  a,  a). 
This  is  a  natural  rule,  and  one  that  applies  to  all  perch- 
ing birds.  Next  jiminge  the  wings  in  position  by  applying 
the  same  rules  that  were  given  when  making  a  skin  ;  in 
this  case,  however,  the  following  additional  rule  may  be  of 
use.  The  end  of  the  bone  of  the  forearm  should  reach  just 
half  the  length  and  width  of  the  body  where  it  meets  the 
lower  end  of  the  thigh  (see  Plate  X.  B).  Having  arranged 
the  wring,  pin  it  near  the  bend  to  the  body  (Plate  VIII. 
Fig.  3,  b),  also  through  the  first  primary  quill  (Fig.  3,  c). 
The  wings  should  in  some  cases  be.  placed  at  a  little  dis- 
tance from  the  body,  as  is  natural  with  the  Thrushes,  and 
some  other  species.  This  may  be  done  by  lengthening  the 
second  wire  (Fig.  3,  c).  Put  the  head  in  the  proper  posi- 
tion, cut  off  the  protruding  wire  (Fig.  3,  g).  Plait  the  tail- 
feathers  by  placing  the  inner  web  over  the  outer  (Fig.  3,  d); 
then  place  a  piece  of  fine  copper  wire  across  the  tail,  and 
fasten  it  to  the  ends  of  the  cross-piece  (Fig.  3,  e).  Fix 
the  artificial  eyes  in  their  proper  position  with  glue  or 
putty  :  then  wind  the  bird  with  the  fine  cotton  on  the 
breast  and  shoulders  and  over  the  secondaries  (Fig.  3,  k); 
this  is  to  keep  the  feathers  smooth  while  it  is  drying. 

To  mount  a  bird  with  the  wings  extended,  proceed  as 
before  explained,  but  raise  the  wings,  and  use  longer  wires 
to  pin  them  in  position.  Then,  to  hold  the  quills  and  sec- 
ondaries in  place,  bend  a  wire  over  the  whole  width  of  the 
wing,  passing  on  each  side  of  them.  In  skinning  and 
mounting  Ducks,  open  under  the  wing.  This  is  accom- 
plished by  making  an  incision  on  the  side,  from  the  place 


40  THE   NATURALIST'S   GUIDE. 

where  the  humerus  joins  the  sternum  (Plate  X.  B)  to  just 
beyond  the  lower  joint  of  the  thigh  (p),  after  which  skin  as 
before. 

If  any  feathers  become  twisted  or  bent,  they  may  bo 
instantly  straightened  by  holding  them  in  steam.  If  tho 
feathers  are  to  be  smoothed,  raise  them  with  the  fingers  or 
tweezers,  and  let  them  fall  back  in  place ;  they  will  gene- 
rally come  down  smoothly.  If  the  feathers  come  out,  put  a 
drop  of  glue  upon  the  end  of  each,  and  place  it  in  the 
proper  position  ;  it  will  stay,  when  dry.  In  this  way  large 
bare  places  may  be  covered. 

Mounting  dried  Skins.  —  To  mount  dried  skins,  remove 
the  stuffing  with  which  they  are  filled,  and  supply  its  place 
with  dampened  cotton,  also  wrap  the  legs  well  with  it ; 
place  the  skin  in  a  box,  where  it  must  remain  until  it 
becomes  pliable,  but  not  too  soft,  as  it  is  then  liable  to  drop 
in  pieces.  It  is  to  be  mounted  as  described,  excepting  that 
the  neck  is  filled  with  cut  hemp  instead  of  bran.  Birds 
mounted  from  dried  skins  require  more  care  in  mounting, 
and  more  binding  to  bring  the  feathers  into  proper  posi- 
tion, than  fresh  birds. 

Never  paint  or  varnish  .the  feet  or  bill  of  a  bird;  the 
scales  on  the  feet  of  birds  are  one  of  the  most  interesting 
characters  in  the  study  of  ornithology,  and  they  cannot 
readily  be  seen  when  covered  with  paint  or  varnish.  In 
mounting  birds  larger  than  a  Robin,  the  muscles  of  the  leg- 
bone  must  be  supplied  by  winding  the  tibia  with  hemp 
until  the  original  size  and  shape  is  attained.  Particular 
attention  must  be  paid  to  the  legs  of  the  Waders  and  rapa- 
cious birds.  The  exceptions  to  this  rule  are  all  swimming 
birds ;  as  the  tibia  is  buried  in  the  body,  it  does  not  need 
winding. 

In  mounting  Humming-Birds  with  the  wings  extended, 
especially  from  dried  skins,  there  is  no  need  of  wiring  the 
leg.  Place  a  single  wire  in  the  back  part  of  the  body,  with 


THE   WAY   TO   MOUNT   BIRDS.  41 

the  point  firmly  clinched,  and  the  end  protruding  back 
from  the  abdomen  for  three  or  four  inches.  This  wire  will 
sustain  the  bird.  Always  wire  the  feet  in  the  usual  way 
if  the  bird  is  to  be  mounted  in  the  attitude  of  rest.  In 
mounting  other  small  birds,  this  method  of  wiring  will  an- 
swer when  the  bird  is  represented  as  flying.  Large  birds, 
when  mounted  in  the  attituda  of  flying,  should  be  wired 
in  the  usual  manner,  with  the  wires  that  extend  beyond 
the  soles  of  the  feet  cut  short ;  then  a  wire  is  forced  down 
through  the  back  and  clinched  under  the  body,  with  the 
end  pointing  upward ;  cut  off  this  end  so  that  it  will  pro- 
trude but  a  half-inch  beyond  the  skin,  then  bend  it  under 
the  feathers  into  the  form  of  a  hook  or  ring;  to  this  fasten 
a  thread,  and  suspend  the  bird.  To  make  the  bird  incline 
downward,  place  the  wire  well  back;  upward,  farther  for- 
ward, or  nearer  the  head.  Fine  copper  wire  will  answer 
to  suspend  large  birds  in  this  manner.  In  mounting  a 
bird  in  this  position,  with  the  wings  fully  extended,  care 
should  be  taken  that  they  are  properly  arched. 

While  arranging  the  wings,  it  is  not  convenient  to  keep 
the  bird  suspended,  aV  it  will  not  be  sutnciently  firm. 
Sharpen  two  stout  wires  and  fasten  them  at  both  ends 
(Plate  Vlil.  Fig.  4,  b,  b),  perpendicularly  in  a  block  of 
wood  (a),  parallel  to  each  other,  and  about  two  inches 
apart.  These  wires  should  be  at  least  four  inches  long. 
Ueinl  about  an  inch  and  a  half  of  the  ends  down,  parallel 
with  the  block  (c).  Force  these  ends  into  the  abdomen  of 
the  liird  th.it  is  being  n.ounted,  and  it  will  be  firmly  held 
in  place  while  the  different  parts  are  being  arranged,  after 
which  it  can  be  suspended  as  described. 

Sometimes  it  is  necessary  to  mount  the  skins  of  rare 
birds  when  they  are  badly  decayed.  To  mount  skins  in 
this  condition  requires  skill  and  patience,  as  well  as  a  knowl- 
edge of  their  different  parts.  The  manner  in  which  I  have 
mounted  them  is  this  :  First,  moisten  the  skin  as  de- 


42  THE   NATURALIST'S   GUIDE, 

scribed,  then  make  a  bod)7,  as  before,  and  place  a  wire  of 
the  proper  size  and  length  in  the  us::al  place  for  the  neck, 
and  wind  it  with  hemp  to  the  natural  size  :  place  the  head, 
wings,  feet,  and  tail  in  the  proper  position ;  then,  after 
spreading  glue  upon  the  body,  place  each  feather  or  piece 
of  skin  carefully  in  its  proper  place,  commencing  at  the 
tail  and  working  towards  the  head  ;  when  this  is  finished, 
bind  the  bird  as  usual. 

Birds  that  have  been  mounted  require  at  least  ten  davs 
for  the  skin  to  dry  before  the  thread  is  removed,  which  is 
done  by  cutting  down  the  back  with  scissors,  after  which 
cut  off  all  protruding  wires,  and  unplait  the  tail-feathers 
and  smooth  them.  To  elevate  the  crest  of  a  bird,  or  anv 
other  naturally  elevated  feathers,  —  such  as  the  elongated 
feathers  on  the  necks  of  some  species  of  Grouse,  etc.,  —  roll  a 
piece  of  cotton  into  a  ball,  and  force  a  pin  or  piece  of  sharp- 
ened wire  through  it  (Plate  Vill.  Fig.  5,  g).  Place  this  wire 
or  pin  in  the  bird  in  such  a  manner  that  the  feathers  to 
be  elevated  may  rest  on  the  cotton  in  a  natural  position 
(Fig.  5,  b).  After  the  skin  becomes  hardened  the  cotton 
may  be  removed,  and  the  feathers  will  retain  the  desired 
position. 


CHAPTER    II. 

COLLECTING    AND    PRESERVING    MAMMALS. 

SECTION  T.  Collecting. —  Because  mammals  are  not  quite 
as  interesting  at  first  sight  as  birds,  the  study  of  this 
class  of  animals  has  been  somewhat  neglected  ;  and  but 
comparatively  few  naturalists  are  even  aware  of  the  ex- 
istence of  some  of  the  smaller  mammalia  that  live  about 
them.  They  are,  however,  worthy  of  special  attention,  and, 
if  studied,  will  soon  be  found  particularly  interesting. 

In  collecting  mammals,  excepting  some  of  the  krgcr 
species,  the  gun  is  of  but  little  use ;  they  rni.st  be  taken 
almost  entirely  with  traps.  Shrews  and  Moles  may  be 
frequently  found  where  they  have  been  dropped  by  cats, 
who  catch  them,  but  do  not  eat  them.  In  this  way  a 
great  many  valuable  specimens  may  be  obtained. 

Another  way  to  procure  Mice  and  Shrews  is  to  turn  over 
old  logs  and  stumps,  under  which  these  little  animals  fre- 
quently hide,  and  while  dazzled  by  the  light's  coming  in 
suddenly  upon  them,  they  may  be  readily  seized  in  the 
hand.  Mice  may  also  be  trapped. 

Squirrels  may  be  shot  or  caught  in  traps ;  Foxes,  trapped, 
shot,  or  dug  out  of  their  holes.  Woodchucks  are  easily 
trapped  or  di  g  out.  Skunks  are  very  disagreeable  animals 
to  handle,  but  when  one  once  becomes  accustomed  to 
capturing  them  he  can  do  it  in  perfect  safety.  The  best 
way  is  to  catch  them  in  a  "box-trap"  baited  with  the 
head  of  a  chicken  ;  when  caught,  immerse  trap  and  skunk 
in  water  until  the  animal  is  dead.  Treated  in  this  man- 
ner, they  will  not  emit  any  of  their  disagreeable  scent. 
By  breaking  the  backbone  with  a  stout  stick,  when  the 


44  THE   NATURALIST'S    GUIDK. 

animal  is  caught  in  a  steel  trap,  the  disagreeable  emission 
will  be  prevented.  All  animals  should  be  killed  either 
by  breaking  the  backbone  or  by  compressing  the  ribs,  to 
stop  the  breath ;  never  by  a  blow  on  the  head,  as  this  is 
liable  to  injure  the  skull,  which  must  be  preserved  entire 
for  scientific  investigation. 

The  following  animals  may  be  decoyed  into  traps  by 
means  of  peculiar  scents  :  Foxes,  Fishers,  Martens,  Minks, 
Weasels,  Wildcats  of  all  species,  Otters,  Beavers,  Bears, 
Muskrats,  and  Raccoons.  These  scents  are  made  of  differ- 
ent substances.  The  musk  of  the  Muskrat,  contained  in 
two  glands  situated  just  below  the  skin  upon  the  back 
part  of  the  abdomen,  will  decoy  Muskrats  and  Minks,  and 
perhaps  Wildcats.  This  musk  may  be  procured  from  the 
male  in  early  spring.  After  the  two  glands  spoken  of 
are  removed,  they  may  be  cut  open,  when  the  musk  — 
which  is  a  milky  fluid  —  will  appear,  and  may  be  squeezed 
out,  mixed  with  alcohol,  and  kept  for  use.  This  musk  is 
used  in  the  following  manner  :  Cut  a  stick  of  pine  about 
six  inches  long,  make  a  small  cavity  in  one  end  ;  into  this 
drop  a  little  of  the  musk,  fasten  the  stick  in  such  a  position 
that  the  animal  to  be  decoyed  must  place  his  foot  upon 
the  trap  in  order  to  reach  it. 

Foxes,  I  have  been  informed  by  old  trappers,  are  read- 
ily decoyed  by  using  the  fetid  scent  of  the  Skunk  in  the 
same  manner.  This  scent  is  a  greenish  fluid,  and  is  con- 
tained in  glands  situated  in  the  anal  region  ;  it  may  be 
obtained  in  the  same  manner  as  the  musk,  although  the 
operation  is  not  pleasant.  All  of  the  above-named  ani- 
mals may  be  successfully  decoyed  by  usinir  an  excessively 
fetid  scent  prepared  during  warm  weather  in  the  follow- 
ing manner:  Take  a  good-sized  eel  or  trout,  and  cut  it 
in  small  pieces  ;  place  it  in  a  quart  bottle,  cover  the  top 
with  gauze  to  keep  the  flies  out,  hang  the  bottle  on  the 
south  side  of  a  fence  or  building,  and  let  it  remain  two 


COLLECTING    AND   PRESERVING   MAMMALS.  45 

or  three  weeks,  when  the  whole  mass  will  become  decom 
posed ;  then  on  the  top  will  be  found  a  thin  layer  of  a 
clear  liquid  having  an  ineffably  disagreeable  odor.  This 
fluid  should  be  poured  off  carefully  into  a  small  phial  and 
closely  corked  ;  it  is  to  be  used  in  the  same  manner  as  the 
other  scents.* 

Bats  may  be  shot,  or  taken  during  daylight  beneath  the 
shingles  of  buildings,  or  in  hollow  trees.  One  or  two  spe- 
cies, however,  remain  outside,  suspended  to  a  branch  or 
leaf  of  a  tree. 

Plaster  may  be  used  to  absorb  the  flow  of  blood  from 
mammals,  as  well  as  from  birds. 

SECTION  II.  Measuring.  —  To  measure  a  mammal  pre- 
paratory to  skinning:  Place  it  upon  its  back,  then  with  the 
dividers  measure  the  distance  from  the  tip  of  the  nose  to 
the  front  side  of  the  eye,  record  this  as  "  the  distance  from 
the  tip  of  the  nose  to  the  eye,"  then  from  the  tip  of  the  nose 
to  the  ear ;  this  is  "the  distance  from  the  nose  to  the  ear"; 
then  from  the  tip  of  the  nose  to  the  occiput,  or  back  of  the 
head,  for  "  the  distance  from  the  nose  to  the  occiput."  With 
the  rule  find  the  distance  from  "  the  nose  to  the  root  of  the 
tail,"  also  the  distance  from  "the  tip  of  the  nose  to  the  tip 
of  the  longest  toe  of  the  outstretched  hind  leg";  then 
with  the  dividers  find  the  length  of  the  vertebra  of  the  tail 
from  the  root ;  this  is  "  the  length  of  the  tail  to  the  end  of 
the  vertebra."  With  the  dividers,  measure  the  hair  on  the 
end  of  the  tail  for  "the  length  of  the  hair."  Measure  the 
length  of  the  hind  leg  from  the  knee-joint  to  the  tip  of  the 
longest  claw  of  the  longest  toe  for  "  the  length  of  the  hind 
leg."  Measure  the  length  of  the  front  leg  from  the  elbow- 
joint  to  the  tip  of  the  longest  claw  of  the  longest  tofi  ;  this  is 
"the  length  of  the  front  leg."  The  width  of  the  hand  is 
found  by  measuring  the  width  of  the  outspread  forefoot  or 

*  This  receipt  was  kindly  given  to  me  by  Mr.  George  Smith  of  Wal- 
tham,  who  hac  used  it  successfully,  as  I  have  personally  witnessed. 


46  THE  NATURALIST'S   GUIDE 

hand.  Now  measure  the  length  of  the  ear  on  the  back 
side,  from  the  skull  to  the  tip,  for  "  the  length  of  the  ear." 
Measure  "  the  width  of  the  muzzle  "  between  the  two  nostrils. 
In  animals  larger  than  a  gray  squirrel,  measure  the  "girth" 
with  a  tape-measure,  or  piece  of  string,  just  back  of  the 
forelegs. 

These  measurements  will  answer  for  all  excepting  the 
bats,  in  measuring  which  proceed  as  before ;  but,  instead 
of  the  forelegs,  find  "  the  length  of  one  wing,"  "  the  length 
of  the  wing  to  the  hook,  or  thumb,"  and  "  the  stretch  of 
wings  "  as  in  birds. 

Seals  also  vary  slightly ;  instead  of  the  word  "  leg " 
use  "  nipper,"  and  find  the  width  of  the  hind  nipper  as 
well  as  the  width  of  the  fore  one  ;  also,  in  addition,  "  the 
distance  between  the  fore-flippers."  The  sex  of  a  mammal 
is  easily  determined  without  dissecting.  These  measure- 
ments are  to  be  first  recorded  upon  a  strip  of  paper,  as 
in  the  birds,  and  afterwards  copied  into  a  book,  as  seen 
on  the  next  page. 

Skinning.  —  To  skin  a  mammal,  place  it  upon  its  back  ; 
make  a  longitudinal  incision  in  the  skin  over  the  abdo- 
men, extending  'from  the  root  of  the  tail  about  one  fourth 
of  the  length  of  the  body.  Peel  down  each  side,  as  in 
skinning  a  bird,  pushing  forward  the  leg  so  as  to  expose 
the*  knee-joint ;  sever  the  leg  from  the  body  at  this  place, 
and  clean  the  bone ;  proceed  in  this  manner  with  the  other 
leg.  In  small  animals,  sever  the  tail  as  close  to  the  body 
as  possible,  leaving  the  bone  in  ;  but  in  large  animals  it 
can  generally  be  removed  by  placing  two  pieces  of  wood  on 
each  side  of  the  bone  against  the  skin,  holding  them  firmly 
in  place  with  one  hand,  and  after  giving  a  strong  pull  with 
the  other  the  tail  will  slip  out  easily.  With  some  animals, 
such  as  the  Beaver,  Muskrat,  Skunk,  etc.,  this  cannot  be 
done  ;  then  the  skin  of  the  tail  has  to  be  opened  the  whole 
length,  and  the  bone  removed.  Proceed  to  draw  the  skin 


COLLEOIING   AND    1'RKSKRVING    MAMMALS. 


47 


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48  THE  NATURALIST'S   GUIDE 

down  towards  the  head,  until  the  forelegs  appear ;  sever 
these  at  the  knee-joint,  and  clean  the  hone  as  before.  Draw 
the  skin  over  the  head,  cutting  off  the  ears  close  to  the 
skull.  Use  caution  in  cutting  the  skin  from  the  eyelids 
and  in  severing  the  lips  from  the  skull,  so  as  not  to  in- 
jure their  outward  appearance.  The  skull  is  to  be  detached 
entirely.  Cover  the  inside  of  the  skin  well  with  arsenic, 
and,  if  large,  rub  it  in  well  with  the  hand ;  but  be  sure 
that  every  part  is  poisoned. 

If  there  is  any  blood  upon  the  hair,  after  the  skin  is 
turned  into  its  former  position,  if  it  is  dry,  remove  it  with 
the  stiff  brush;  if  wet  or  very  bloody,  wash  and  dry  with 
plaster,  as  explained  in  birds. 

Wind  the  leg-bones  with  sufficient  hemp  or  cotton  to 
supply  the  place  of  the  muscles ;  then  fill  out  the  head, 
neck,  and  the  rest  of  the  body  to  their  natural  size.  Sew 
up  the  orifice  through  which  the  body  was  removed  neatly 
over  and  over,  drawing  the  edges  of  the  skin  together 
nicely. 

Label  the  skin  by  sewing  a  bit  of  card-board  upon  one 
of  the  feet,  or,  if  the  animal  is  large,  upon  the  ear,  with 
the  number  of  the  specimen  and  the  sex  marked  upon  it. 
Clean  the  skull  as  much  as  possible  with  the  scalpel ;  if 
it  is  a  large  animal,  the  brains  may  be  removed  through 
the  orifice  where  the  spinal  cord  enters  the  skull.  If  this 
opening  is  not  large  enough  to  remove  them,  they  should 
be  left  in.  Roll  the  skull  in  arsenic,  then  label  it  with  a 
number  corresponding  to  the  one  upon  the  skin,  and  lay 
it  by  for  future  cleaning.  The  arsenic  prevents  insects 
from  attacking  it. 

Place  the  skin,  if  a  small  one,  upon  its  side,  with  the 
legs  bent  neatly ;  if  a  large  one,  upon  its  breast,  with  the 
legs  stretched  out  on  each  side,  the  forelegs  pointing  for- 
ward, the  hind  ones  backward.  This  is  what  is  technically 
called  a  "  mammal's  skin." 


COLLLCTLXG    AND    PRESERVING  MAMMALS.  49 

Very  large  animals,  such  as  Deer  or  Bears,  should  not 
be  filled  out  in  this  way,  but  placed  flat.  In  skinning  large 
animals,  make  an  incision  in  the  form  of  a  double  cross, 
by-  making  a  longitudinal  cut  between  the  hind  legs,  from 
the  root  of  the  tail  to  the  breast,  between  the  forelegs ; 
then  a  transverse  cut  from  the  knee  of  the  foreleg  down 
the  inside  of  the  leg  to  the  opposite  knee.  The  same 
operation  is  repeated  upon  the  hind  legs.  Then  proceed 
as  before,  only,  when  the  skin  has  been  removed  from  the 
flanks,  the  animal -must  be  suspended  to  facilitate  the  re- 
moval of  the  rest. 

In  skinning  a  mammal  with  horns,  make  a  longitudinal 
incision  from  the  back  of  the  neck  to  the  occiput,  or  back 
of  the  head  ;  then  make  a  transverse  cut  across  the  head, 
commencing  about  four  inches  beyond  the  right  horn,  and 
ending  about  four  inches  to  the  left  of  the  left  horn,  the 
cut  passing  close  to  the  base  of  the  horns,  thus  forming  a 
T.  Kemove  the  skin  from  the  body  as  far  as  the  neck, 
which  is  cut  at  its  junction  with  the  body.  The  skull,  horns, 
and  neck  are  drawn  through  the  above-mentioned  orifice. 

In  skinning  large  animals,  it  is  well  to  take  the  diameter 
of  the  eye  before  it  is ;  removed,,  so  that  an  artificial  one 
may  be  inserted  of  the  same  size,  if  the  animal  is  to  be 
mountc^l,  as  the  eyelids  shrink  .very  much  while  drying. 
All  mammals  should  be  skinned  as  soon  as  possible  after 
killed,  especially  small  ones,  as  in  a  few  hours 
n  ;vvill<  commence  ;  then  the  hair  will  come  out 

While   skinning  the  legs  of  ruminants,    such  as  Deer, 
,  Sheep,  etc.,  it  will  be  found  that  the  skin  cannot  be  drawn 
over  the  knee-joint ;  then  cut  longitudinally  through  the 
.skin  below  the  knee,  and  after  severing  the  bone  at  the 
hoof  and  knee,  remove  it  through  this  incision.     The  in- 
cision  should  be  about  one  fourth  the  length  of  the  dis- 
;;taii€e,  from  the  knee  to  the  hoof.  : 

;  Hats  are  to  be  skinned   in  the  ordinary  manner,  rcmoy- 
.3  D 


50  THE  NATURALIST'S   GUIDE. 

ing  the  skin  even  to  the  tip  of  the  phalanges  of  the  wings  j 
then  tie  the  wing-bones  together,  as  explained  in  birds. 
Place  the  bat  upon  a  flat  board  to  dry,  and  pin  its  wings 
in  the  proper  position  for  flight.  When  dry,  stitch  it  upon 
a  piece  of  card-board. 

While  skinning  mammals,  it  is  sometimes  necessary  to 
use  plaster  to  absorb  the  blood  and  other  juices  that  are 
apt  to  flow  ;  but  if  care  is  taken  not  to  cut  the  inner  skin 
over  the  abdomen  it  will  not  be  needed.  It  is  also  some- 
times necessary  to  plug  the  mouth  and  nostrils,  especially 
if  blood  flows  from  them. 

SECTION  III.  Mounting  Mammals.  —  The  art  of  mount- 
ing mammals  in  lifelike  attitudes  can  only  be  acquired  by 
experience.  Hence  the  learner  must  practise  the  utmost 
degree  of  patience  and  perseverance.  As  in  the  first 
chapter  I  earnestly  advised  those  who  would  be  perfect  to 
study  nature,  I  would  here  repeat  that  advice.  And  if 
necessary  while  endeavoring  to  mount  a  bird,  where  the 
feathers  cover  the  minor  defects,  it  is  essentially  much 
more  of  a  necessity  to  study  nature  carefully  while  striv- 
ing to  imitate  the  graceful  attitudes  and  delicately  formed 
limbs  of  the  smaller  species  of  mammalia,  or  the  full 
rounded  muscles  and  imposing  attitudes  of  the  larger 
ones  ;  for  in  mammals  the  thin  coat  of  hair  will  tend  rather 
to  expose  than  hide  the  most  minute  imperfections. 

Perfectly  stutfed  specimens  can  only  be  obtained  by  care- 
ful measurements  of  all  the  parts,  such  as  the  size  of  the 
legs,  body,  etc. 

In  skinning  mammals  to  mount,  it  is  best  not  to  remove 
the  skull.  Open  it  on  the  occipital  bone,  so  as  to  remove 
the  brains  ;  clean  well ;  cover  with  arsenic  ;  then  supply 
the  muscles  removed,  by  using  hemp  wound  tightly  on 
with  thread.  As  the  skin  will  shrink  badly  if  it  is  stutfed 
loosely,  carefully  fill  out  the  space  occupied  by  the  mus- 
cles of  the  legs  in  the  same  manner.  Cut  wirto  for  the 


THE  WAY  TO  MOUNT  MAMMALS.         51 

feet,  head,  and  tail,  sharpen  them  on  one  end  as  directed 
in  mounting  birds ;  now  roll  up  grass  until  it  is  not  quite 
as  large  round  as  the  body,  and  about  one  third  as  long. 
Fill  the  fore  part  of  the  skin  with  bran  or  cut  hemp  as  far 
back  as  the  shoulders,  and  place  the  ball  of  grass  against 
this  tilling,  inside  the  skin.  Now  force  the  wires  through 
the  soles  of  the  feet  and  top  of  the  head  into  this  ball ; 
clinch  them  firmly.  After  filling  the  skin  of  the  tail  with 
bran,  force  the  wire  through  the  grass  ball  to  the  very  end ; 
then  clinch  the  opposite  end  in  the  ball  by  cutting  off  the 
part  that  protrudes  and  turning  it  in. 

Fill  the  remaining  parts  of  the  skin  with  bran  to  the 
natural  size,  and  sew  up  the  orifice  carefully ;  place  the 
animal  in  the  proper  position  by  passing  the  protruding 
wires  of  the  feet  through  holes  in  a  board,  clinching  them 
firmly  on  the  under  side.  The  skin  may  now  be  moulded 
into  shape  with  the  hands,  the  hair  carefully  smoothed, 
the  eyes  set  in  the  head  with  putty,  the  protruding  wires 
cut  off,  and  the  specimen  set  away  to  dry.  There  are 
but  few  rules  to  be  followed  in  placing  animals  in  posi- 
tion, because  they  are  almost  infinite  in  variety.  The  most 
imperative  rule  applies  to  the  positions  of  the  legs,  which 
are  almost  always  the  same  ;  and  it  should  be  studied  with 
particular  care,  as  a  slight  deviation  from  it  will  impair 
the  lifelike  attitude  of  the  specimen.  The  rule  is  :  Never 
place  the  bones  of  the  first  joint  (Plate  IX.  No.  1)  and 
those  of  the  second  joint  (2)  of  the  hind  legs  in  a  straight 
line,  but  always  at  an  angle,  more  or  less  ;  while  the  two 
bones  of  the  forelegs  (3,  4)  should  almost  always  be  placed 
in  a  straight  line,  —  always  when  the  animal  is  standing 
upon  them. 

In  imitating  that  peculiarly  graceful  attitude  assumed 
by  the  squirrels  while  sitting  upon  their  hind  legs  feeding, 
after  imitating  the  curve  of  the  back,  —  which  not  one  in 
a  hundred  can  do  naturally,  —  place  the  joints  of  the  hind 


52  THE   NATURALIST'S   GUIDE. 

legs  so  far  up,  and  at  such  an  acute  angle,  and  the  joints 
of  the  forelegs  down  at  such  an  angle,  that  the  two  will 
almost  touch.  This  rule  should  always  be  followed. 

The  preceding  method  may  be  applied  when  mounting 
all  animals  below  the  size  of  a  Newfoundland  dog.  Larger 
animals  are  mounted  in  the  following  manner :  Fill  out 
the  space  occupied  by  the  muscles  o/  the  head  and  legs 
in  the  manner  already  described.  Procure  five  iron  rods, 
with  a  shoulder  cut  at  each  end,  upon  which  fit  a  cap 
(Plate  IX.  Fig.  2,  B) ;  on  the  extreme  end  have  a  thread 
cut  with  a  nut  to  fit  (A),  —  the  distance  between  the  nut 
and  cap  should  be  about  an  inch  and  a  half.  Cut  a  piece 
of  plank,  an  inch  and  a  half  thick,  about  two  thirds  as 
long  and  wide  as  the  body  of  the  mammal  to  be  mounted  ; 
bore  five  holes  in  it,  as  indicated  in  Fig.  1,  A.  Fasten 
one  rod  (8)  firmly  to  the  skull  by  drilling  a  hole  through 
the  top  and  placing  the  cap  in  the  proper  position.  Screw 
the  nut  on  well  (14),  and  place  the  lower  end  of  the  rod  in 
the.  hole  in  the  plank  prepared  for  it  (11) ;  fasten  it  firmly. 
Now  stuff  the  neck  out  with  hemp  to  the  proper  size.  Drill 
a  hole  through  the  hoofs,  or  bottom  of  the  feet,  into  the 
hollow  of  the  bones  (2,  4) ;  force  the  rod  (7,  7,  7,  7)  up 
through  this  hole,  through  the  stuffing  of  the  legs,  and 
fasten  them  into  the  plank  (5,  6).  Force  a  wire  into  the 
tail  and  clinch  it  firmly  in  the  wood  (15).  By  winding  up 
grass  or  hemp,  imitate  the  various  sections  of  the  body 
taken  out,  and  place  them  in  the  proper  positions  (1(5), 
making  allowance  for  the  plank  and  rods.  Or  a  better 
way  is  to  take  casts  in  plaster  of  the  different  parts  and 
place  them  in  the  proper  position. 

Everything  must  be  solid,  to  avoid  sinkings  and  depres- 
sions in  the  skin.  In  this  way  the  student  can  mount 
an  animal  of  any  size  by  increasing  the  size  of  the  rods  and 
plank.  The  ends  of  the  rods  must  be  fastened  into  a 
plank  stand  (10)  by  passing  them  through  holes  drilled 
in  it  (17,  17,  17,  17). 


THE   WAY   TO   MOUNT    MAMMALS 


53 


Plate  IX. 


54  THE   NATURALIST'S   GUIDE. 

To  mount  a  dried  skin,  first  soak  it  in  alum-water  until 
it  is  perfectly  pliable,  and  then  mount  as  before.  The 
water  should  iiot  be  too  strongly  impregnated  with  alum, 
or  it  will  crystallize  upon  the  hair.  About  a  quarter  of  a 
pound  of  alum  to  a  gallon  of  water  are  the  proper  propor- 
tions. If  the  skull  has  been  detached,  replace  it,  or  make 
an  artificial  one  of  grass  or  plaster  to  take  its  place.  Mam- 
mals that  have  been  preserved  in  alcohol  may  be  skinned 
in  the  usual  manner  and  mounted. 

To  skin  mammals  for  the  fur  alone,  cut  in  a  straight  line 
from  the  inside  of  the  knee  of  one  hind  leg  to  the  other. 
Skin  as  before  explained,  only  cut  oft'  the  feet  and  detach 
the  skull.  Stretch  smoothly  on  a  thin  board,  with  the 
wrong  side  out.  The  skin  should  be  lengthened  rather  than 
widened. 


CHAPTER    III. 

COLLECTING    AND    PRESERVING    INSECTS    FOR    THE    CABINET. 

THIS  interesting  class  of  animals  has  for  a  long  time 
engaged  the  attention  of  students,  yet  it  is  surprising  how 
comparatively  little  has  been  written  about  those  of  Amer- 
ica. The  almost  infinite  number  of  species  still  affords 
the  young  naturalist  a  wide  field  for  careful  investigation. 

In  collecting  insects,  the  instruments  used  are  :  An  insect- 
net,  made  of  fine  muslin  or  of  silk  gauze,  and  stretched 
upon  a  light  steel  wire  frame,  with  a  light  handle,  about 
four  feet  long,  attached ;  several  wide-mouthed  bottles  and 
phials  filled  with  strong  alcohol ;  insect-pins  of  the  best 
quality,'  which  can  be  procured  at  natural-history  stores ; 
tweezers  smaller  than  those  used  for  birds  (Plate  I.  Fig.  3); 
also,  a  small  pair  of  pliers  (Fig.  1) ;  several  soft-pine  boards 
about  twelve  by  twenty-four  inches,  planed  perfectly  smooth, 
will  also  be  needed. 

Boxes  or  drawers  are  necessary  for  the  reception  of  the 
dried  specimens,  lined  with  thick  felting  or  cork  to  receive 
the  point  of  the  pin  that  holds  the  insect  and  keeps  it 
upright.  An  excellent  box  lined  with  paper  is  sometimes 
used  to  advantage,  a  description  of  which  may  be  found  in 
the  "American  Naturalist,"  Vol.  I.  p.  156. 

I  hardly  need  state  that  a  good  microscope  is  indispensa- 
ble in  prosecuting  the  stuay  of  insects,  although  it  may  be 
commenced  without  one.  I  shall  take  each  order  of  insects 
separately,  and  endeavor  to  explain  how  they  are  collected 
and  preserved,  commencing  with  the 

Beetles,  or  Coleoptera.  —  fhe  best  way  to  preserve  bee- 
tles temporarily  is  by  putting  them  instantly  into  strong 


56  THE    NATURALIST'S    GUIDE. 

alcohol;  and  as  the  collector  will  meet  with  specimens 
everywhere,  he  should  never  be  without  a  phial  ready  for 
instant  use.  During  spring  and  early  summer  thousands 
of  minute  species  may  be  captured  in  the  air  with  the 
net,  especially  j  ust  at  night.  During  summer  and  autumn 
a  great  many  nocturnal  species  may  be  captured  near  a 
light  placed  at  an  open  window,  or  in  the  open  air.  Vari- 
ous species  may  be  found  feeding  upon  plants  during  the 
summer  and  autumn.  A  great  many  of  the  so-called  car- 
rion-beetles may  be  taken,  during  the  same  seasons,  by  ex- 
posing the  carcass  of  an  animal.  Some  species  inhabit 
decayed  wood,  where  diligent  search  should  be  made  for 
them,  especially  in  the  woods,  under  old  stumps  or  in  them. 
Numbers  of  very  beautiful  beetles  may  be  found  in  the 
excrements  of  animals,  and  under  them,  also  under  stones 
and  logs  of  wood  ;  they  are  found  beneath  the  bark  of  trees 
and  on  sandy  places,  or  in  dusty  roads.  There  are  also  a 
few  aquatic  species  to  be  found  in  the  water  or  near  it. 

To  mount  large  beetles,  force  the  pin  through  the  right 
wing-covert  near  the  thorax,  and  place  the  point  in  the 
cork,  with  the  beetle's  feet  resting  on  it ;  place  the  feet 
in  the  attitude  of  life,  with  the  antennae  in  the  proper 
position,  with  a  pin  on  each  side  of  them  to  keep  them 
in  place  until  dry.  If  the  wings  are  to  be  extended, 
place  the  beetle  on  the  pin  as  described  ;  then,  with  an 
awl,  bore  a  hole  in  the  pine  board  ;  lay  the  insect  upon 
its  back,  with  the  head  of  the  pin  in  the  hole  ;  now  open 
the  wing-coverts,  and  <spread  the  wings  ;  over  the  latter 
lay  a  piece  of  card-board,  and  fasten  it  by  placing  pins 
through  it  into  the  wood  on  each  side.  The  wing-cov- 
erts should  not  be  fastened  with  a  card,  as  it  will  flatten 
them.  When  dry,  remove  the  card,  and  the  wings  will 
retain  their  position,  when  the  beetle  can  be  put  in  the 
proper  position  in  the  insect-box. 

Smaller  beetles,   less  than  an  eighth  of  an   inch  long, 


BUGS,   OR   HEMIPTERA.  57 

should  bo  fastened  to  a  piece  of  mica  or  to  a  round  bit  of 
card-board  with  a  little  gum-arabic,  and  the  pin  placed 
through  the  mica  or  card,  or  they  may  be  transfixed  with 
very  line  silver  wire ;  this  wire  must  then  be  inserted  in 
a  bit  of  cork,  through  which  the  common  insect -pin  is 
placed. 

Beetles  that  are  collected  in  remote  countries  should 
always  be  transported  in  alcohol.  When  they  are  to  re- 
main long  in  alcohol  it  should  be  changed  once,  then 
they  will  keep  for  years  uninjured.  After  they  have  been 
in  alcohol  for  two  or  three  weeks  there  is  no  need  of  its 
covering  them,  as  a  little  in  the  bottom  of  the  bottle  will 
keep  them  sufficiently  moist;  but  they  should  never  be 
allowed  to  dry. 

Beetles  may  be  preserved  in  a  weak  solution  of  carbolic 
acid  as  readily  as  in  alcohol.  This  has  the  additional  ad- 
vantage of  preserving  the  specimens  that  have  been  im- 
mersed in  it  from  the  ravages  of  noxious  insects  for  some 
time.  Glycerine  can  be  used  to  advantage  in  preserving 
beetles  that  have  delicate  colors  which  fade  in  alcohol ; 
but  they  cannot  be  pinned  without  cleansing. 

Bugs,  or  Hemiptera,  may  be  found  generally  upon  plants. 
The  common  thistle  (Cirsium  lanceolatum]  furnishes  a  pas- 
ture for  several  species.  Numerous  representatives  of  this 
order  may  be  found  on  low  bushes,  and  in  the  grass  during 
summer  and  autumn.  At  least  one  species  may  be  found 
in  cheap  boarding-houses  during  the  midnight  hours.  The 
almost  endless  variety  of  Plant  Lice  come  under  this  head, 
and  may  be  taken  everywhere  on  plants  during  summer 
and  autumn. 

These  insects,  like  the  beetle,  are  first  immersed  in 
alcohol,  and  afterwards  placed  upon  pins,  with  the  legs 
arranged  in  natural  positions,  and  the  peculiar  sucking- 
tube,  with  which  they  are  all  provided,  brought  well  for- 
ward so  as  to  be  more  easily  examined.  The  numerous 
3* 


58  THE  NATURALIST'S   GUIDE. 

aquatic  species  may  be  secured  with  a  net  ;  they  shotild 
be  carefully  handled,  however,  to  avoid  the  sharp  sting,  01 
piercer,  with  which  some  of  them  are  armed. 

Grasshoppers,  Crickets,  etc.,  or  Orthoptera.  —  Members  of 
this  order  may  be  found  everywhere,  —  the  grasshoppers  in 
the  open  fields  and  woods,  where  they  may  be  caught  in 
nets.  The  best  way  to  kill  them  is  to  prick  them  on  the 
under  side  of  the  thorax  with  the  point  of  a  quill  that 
has  been  dipped  in  a  solution  of  oxalic  acid,  if  they 
are  not  to  be  mounted  instantly,  wrap  them  in  paper. 
Crickets  may  be  found  in  the  ground  in  holes  or  burrows, 
under  stones,  and  in  the  grass ;  a  few  species  may  he  taken 
on  the  leaves  of  trees  or  bushes ;  some  species  of  the  well- 
known  Cockroach  may  be  found  in  houses,  and  some  under 
stones  and  beneath  the  bark  of  trees. 

All  of  the  above  may  be  mounted  by  placing  the  pin 
through  the  thorax,  and  arranging  the  legs  as  before  de- 
scribed. The  wings  are  also  extended  in  the  same  man- 
ner as  the  beetles',  with  the  exception  of  the  wing-coverts, 
which  are  fastened  with  cards  like  the  wings. 

Walking-Sticks  are  found  on  low  bushes  or  on  trees,  some- 
times upon  the  ground.  They  are  to  be  put  into  alcohol 
to  kill  them,  then  mounted  like  the  beetles.  These  in- 
sects, when  dry,  require  delicate  manipulation  while  being- 
moved,  as  they  are  vert/  fragile.  When  the  colors  of  the 
Orthoptera  are  to  be  preserved  perfectly,  place  them  in 
pure  glycerine.  This  is  especially  necessary  in  preserving 
the  larvae  of  grasshoppers.  ( Jrasshoppers  may  be  put  into 
alcohol  if  convenient,  but  it  must  he  very  strong.  This 
method  will  generally  change  the  colors  completely.  Cock- 
roaches and  crickets  should  always  be  killed  by  placing 
them  in  strong  alcohol. 

Moths  and  HutterlHes,  or  Lejridiqttera.  — -  All  butterflies 
are  diurnal,  and  are  generally  caught  with  the  net.  They 
may  be  killed  by  pinching  the  body  just  below  the  wings. 


MOTHS   AND    liU  ITEKFLIES,   OK    LEPIDOPTERA.          59 

or  by  pricking  between  the  forelegs  with  the  quill  and 
oxalic  acid  used  in  killing  grasshoppers.  If  they  are 
not  to  be  mounted  instantly,  they  should  be  packed  in 
pieces  of  paper  doubled  in  a  triangular  shape,  with  the 
edges  folded.  Butterflies  may  be  reared  from  the  egg  by 
capturing  the  impregnated  female  and  confining  her  in  a 
box  pierced  with  holes  to  allow  fresh  air  to  enter.  In 
this  box  she  will  deposit  her  eggs  ;  these  are  allowed  to 
hatch,  and  the  larvse  fed  upon  the  leaves  that  they  natu- 
rally subsist  upon.  When  sufficient  time  has  expired  they 
will  cease  to  feed,  and  form  a  pupa  or  chrysalis,  and  either 
in  a  few  weeks  or  the  ensuing  year  come  forth  perfect 
insects,  when  they  should  be  instantly  killed.  In  this  man- 
ner the  collector  will  be  able  to  secure  fine  specimens. 

Although  some  few  of  the  moths  are  diurnal  in  their 
habits,  the  greater  part  are  strictly  nocturnal.  A  great 
many  specimens  may  be  decoyed  by  the  use  of  a  bright 
light.  During  the  months  of  May,  June,  July,  August, 
and  September,  the  following  method  may  be  practised 
with  advantage  in  securing  many  specimens.  Mix  coarse 
brown  sugar  with  alcohol  enough  to  form  a  thick  paste, 
saturate  rags  thoroughly  with  this  paste,  and  hang  them 
on  trees  or  stakes  in  an  open  grove  or  wood  at  twilight ; 
or  daub  some  of  the  mixture  upon  the  stakes  or  trees. 
This  mixture,  thus  exposed,  will  attract  the  moths.  The 
places  should  be  visited  every  few  minutes  with  a  dark 
lantern,  taking  care  not  to  throw  the  light  upon  the  spot 
until  near  enough  to  catch  the  moths  in  the  net  if  they 
should  attempt  to  escape. 

Mr.  F.  G.  Sanborn  —  who  informs  me  that  he  uses  the 
strong-smelling  New  England  molasses  in  the  above-de- 
scribed manner  with  success  —  rightly  remarks  "that  motha 
may  be  divided  into  three  classes  by  certain  species  of 
them  being  affected  differently  by  the  appearance  of  arti- 
ficial light  in  the  night.  One  class  are  powerfully  attracted 


60  THE   NATURALIST'S    GUIDE. 

by  it ;  another  class  go  about  their  usual  avocations  un- 
mindful of  it ;  while  a  third  class  are  instantly  expdkd 
by  it."  The  third  class  are  by  far  the  most  difficult  to 
capture. 

Moths  are  easily  reared  from  the  eggs.  In  autumn  and 
winter  numerous  cocoons  may  be  found  upon  trees  and 
bushes ;  these,  if  kept  in  a  warm  room,  will  hatch  in  early 
spring. 

In  mounting  butterflies  and  moths  I  have  practised  the 
same  method  as  described  in  mounting  beetles,  and  think 
it  superior  to  all  others.  In  mounting  these  insects,  how- 
ever, it  is  well  to  use  what  is  called  a  "  sotting-needle,"  to 
avoid  rubbing  the  scales  off  the  wings  with  the  fingers. 

The  "  setting-needle "  is  simply  a  common  needle  fas- 
tened into  a  light  stick  ;  two  of  these  will  be  found  use- 
ful, —  one  to  hold  the  body  of  the  insect  firm,  and  the  other 
to  place  the  wings  and  antennye  in  the  proper  position. 
The  eggs  and  larvae  of  the  Lepidoptera  should  be  placed 
in  alcohol. 

There  is  a  class  of  moths  called  Hawk-Moths,  Sphinxes, 
or  Humming-Bees,  some  species  of  which  are  diurnal,  and 
some  nocturnal.  They  are  all  difficult  to  capture  un- 
injured, as  they  fly  rapidly,  and,  when  caught  in  the  net, 
struggle  fiercely. 

The  larva),  when  about  to  form  the  pupa,  go  into  the 
ground  ;  for  this  reason  the  box  that  contains  those  that 
are  being  reared  should  be  partly  filled  with  moist  earth. 
They  are  mounted  in  the  same  manner  as  the  other 
Lepidoptera.  All  bright-colored  insects  when  in  the  cabi- 
net should  be  kept  from  the  light  as  much  as  possible, 
especially  those  belonging  to  the  above  order. 

Dragon-flies,  etc.,  or  Nenroptera. —  Dragon-flies  are,  on 
account  of  their  quick  motions,  somewhat  difficult  to  cap- 
ture ;  they  are  found  flying  over  the  fields  and  mead- 
ows ;  most  abundant,  however,  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of 


BEES,    WASPS,    ETC.,    OR    HYMENOPTERA.  61 

bodies  of  fresh  water.  The  lace-winged  flies  are  also  found 
in  the  vicinity  of  water.  The  larvae  of  almost  all  of  these 
insects  are  aquatic.  They  emerge  from  the  water  perfect 
insects.  The  larva)  should  be  preserved  in  alcohol.  The 
perfect  insects  are  killed  with  oxalic  acid,  and  for  trans- 
portation are  packed  in  paper  like  the  butterflies.  When 
they  are  to  be  mounted,  a  copper  wire  is  placed  through 
the  body  and  head ;  the  wings  are  then  spread,  as  before 
described. 

Bees,  Wasps,  etc.,  or  H ymenoptera.  —  Members  of  this 
order  may  be  found  everywhere  in  the  fields  and  woods. 
Their  larvie  generally  resemble  grubs,  or  maggots,  and 
should  be  preserved  in  alcohol  or  glycerine. 

The  larva)  of  the  Ichneumon-Fly  are  found  in  the  bodies 
of  caterpillars.  The  larva)  of  other  species  are  found  in 
the  excrescences  on  various  plants  and  trees.  This  class 
of  insects  may  be  caught  in  a  net  and  placed  in  alcohol,  or 
killed  with  oxalic  acid.  They  are  to  be  mounted  as  the 
other  winged  insects ;  the  tongue  must  be  brought  forward 
so  that  it  can  be  examined  when  the  insect  is  dry. 

The  nests  of  the  Wood-boring  Bees,  the  Paper-making 
Wasps,  and  Hornets,  the  mud  nests  of  the  Mason  Wasps, 
the  excrescences  on  trees  and  plants,  should  all  be  col- 
lected and  preserved  dry  after  the  larva)  has  been  taken 
out.  Ants  with  their  eggs  and  larva)  may  be  put  into 
alcohol ;  it  is  best  to  capture  these  fierce  little  insects  with 
the  tweezers,  to  avoid  their  stings,  which  are  sometimes 
poisonous. 

Flies,  Mosquitoes,  etc.,  or  Diptera.  —  These  are  the  most 
difficult  of  all  insects  to  preserve,  especially  when  they 
have  to  be  transported  from  a  distance,  as  they  mi.st  all 
be  instantly  pinned,  with  the  exception  of  the  Fleas,  which 
may  be  put  into  alcohol. 

They  may  be  caught  everywhere  by  beating  bushes  by 
the  side  of  the  roads  and  woods,  then  using  the  net. 


62  THE  NATURALIST'S   GUIDE. 

Some  of  the  species  are  nocturnal  (as  those  who  have  slept 
in  the  open  air  in  the  woods  during  the  warm  months  can 
bear  painful  testimony),  and  may  be  attracted  by  artificial 
light,  as  in  the  case  of  the  moths,  etc.  Their  larvae  are 
found  in  various  situations,  some  being  aquatic,  others 
feeding  upon  putrid  flesh  and  fish ;  they  may  be  preserved 
in  alcohol. 

In  closing  this  chapter,  I  would  impress  upon  the  stu- 
dent the  absolute  necessity  of  labelling  every  specimen 
carefully,  with  the  date  and  the  locality  in  which  it  is 
found ;  this  may  be  done  by  numbers  referring  to  a 
catalogue,  as  in  birds  and  mammals,  or  upon  a  slip  of 
paper.  Also  take  notes  of  various  circumstances  relative 
to  the  habits  observed  at  the  time  of  capture,  etc. 

The  best  substance  to  protect  cabinet  specimens  from 
the  attacks  of  injurious  insects  is  benzine,  placed  in  an 
open  vessel  in  each  drawer  or  box.  Camphor  is  also 
good,  but  I  think  that  its  fumes  tend  to  fade  the  brighter 
colors  of  moths  and  butterflies.  Spirits  of  turpentine  is 
good,  but  it  evaporates  much  quicker  than  benzine.  Car- 
bolic acid  is,  next  to  benzine,  perhaps  the  best  substance, 
if  exposed  in  the  same  manner. 

To  mount  insects  that  have  been  dried,  place  them  in  a 
box  containing  wet  sand,  and  let  them  remain  until  soft, 
when  they  are  mounted  as  before  directed.  I  am  informed 
by  Mr.  F.  G.  Sanborn  that  a  few  drops  of  carbolic  acid 
mixed  with  the  water  used  in  moistening  the  sand  will 
prevent  mould  from  forming  upon  them  while  they  are 
being  softened.  The  same  preventive  might  be  put  in 
the  water  used  in  moistening  the  cotton  for  softening  bird- 
skins. 


CHAPTER    IV. 

COLLECTING    AND    PRESERVING    FISHES    AND    REPTILES. 

SECTION  I.  Fishes.  —  Very  many  are  they  who  at  the 
present  day  follow  in  the  footsteps  of  the  "  Father  of  all 
Anglers,"  the  good  Izaak  Walton,  concerning  the  mere 
sport  of  angling ;  but,  alas !  there  are  few  who,  like  him; 
look  with  contemplative  minds  upon  the  great  works  of 
Nature  ;  for  the  worthy  Izaak  was  quite  a  naturalist,  after 
his  fashion,  and  loved  exceedingly  to  prate,  in  his  quaint 
style,  of  the  wondrous  birds,  beasts,  and  fishes  of  which 
he  had  seen  or  heard.  Few,  indeed,  are  they  who,  al- 
though some  of  their  happiest  moments  are  spent  by  the 
side  of  the  clear  mountain  brook,  with  rod  in  hand,  see  in 
the  beautiful  trout,  that  they  with  exultation  draw  froni 
its  sparkling  home,  anything  more  than  a  good  dinner  on 
the  morrow. 

Yet  there  are  a  few  earnest  naturalists  who  love  to 
study  the  finny  tribes  as  they  ought  to  be  studied. 
Indeed,  the  science  of  Ichthyology  can  claim  among  its 
most  earnest  students  the  greatest  naturalist  in  our  land: 
Those  who  live  inland  do  not  possess  the  advantages  of 
making  as  extensive  a  collection  of  fishes  as  those  who 
reside  upon  the  sea-shore  ;  nevertheless,  they  can  all  do 
something  for  this  branch  of  natural  history. 

In  collecting  fishes  the  instruments  generally  used  are 
nets  and  hooks  and  lines  ;  with  these  try  and  secure  every 
variety  that  can  be  found.  Many  species  can  be  secured 
from  the  markets,  where  fishes  are  exposed  for  sale,  by 
picking  out  the  specimens  that  are  needed.  The  bcs§ 
way  to  preserve  fishes  is  to  put  them  into  alcohol.  All 


64  THE   NATURALIST'S   GUIDE. 

large  fishes  should  also  be  injected  with  alcohol  before  put- 
ing  them  in  it. 

There  is,  however,  another  method  by  which  fishes  may  be 
preserved  ;  that  is,  by  skinning  and  stuffing.  Thus  :  Open 
the  fish  on  the  under  side  from  the  throat  nearly  to  the  end 
of  the  body,  or  within  a  short  distance  of  the  root  of  the  tail ; 
then  skin  down  each  way,  taking  care  not  to  scrape  off  any 
of  the  pigment  that  covers  the  inside  of  the  skin  and  gives 
the  fish  its  color ;  cut  off  the  fins  close  to  the  skin  on  the 
inside,  also  the  head  at  the  gills;  clean  out  the  brains  by 
enlarging  the  hole  in  the  occiput,  where  the  spinal  cord 
enters  the  skull ;  remove  the  eye  from  the  outside,  dust 
arsenic  into  the  orifice  left,  and  fill  it  with  cotto  ;  cover 
the  inside  of  the  skin  with  arsenic;  fill  it  to  the  natural 
size  with  cotton,  and  sew  it  up;  place  a  wire  transversely 
through  the  fins  to  keep  them  in  position. 

Another  method  is  to  remove  the  skin  from  one  side, 
and  to  clean  the  flesh  out  in  this  way ;  the  fish  ia  then 
stuffed  and  placed  upon  its  side,  so  that  the  opening  will 
not  show.  This  method  will  answer  very  well  for  flat 
fishes,  but  large  ones  must  always  be  stuffed  in  the  man- 
ner first  described. 

SECTION  II.  Reptiles.  —  Many  a  harmless  snake  or  t  >ad 
has  been  sacrificed  to  ignorance  and  superstition.  Indeed, 
so  strong  is  the  general  prejudice  against  the  most  com- 
mon snakes,  —  which  are  as  incapable  of  inflicting  an  injury 
as  a  mouse,  —  that  but  few  persons  will  hesitate  to  kill  the 
supposed  venomous  reptile  at  sight,  if  indeed  they  have 
the  courage  to  remain  long  enough  in  its  vicinity  to  do  so 
valiant  a  deed.  Such  persons  really  believe  that  they  are 
removing  a  dangerous  adversary  of  man  from  the  face  of 
the  earth.  I  would,  however,  advise  them  to  glance  for  a 
single  instant  at  the  history  of  these  interesting  —  al- 
though, I  will  allow,  somewhat  disgusting-looking  —  ani- 
mals before  they  again  shed  innocent  blood.  All  the  snakes 


REPTILES.  65 

in  Massachusetts  may  be  handled  with  impunity,  with  the 
exception  of  two  species,  which  are  very  rare.  I  refer 
to  the  Copperhead  and  Rattlesnake.  The  prettily  marked 
Milk  Snake,  or  Checkered  Adder,  arid  the  imaginary  ter- 
rible Water  Snake,  are  quite  harmless,  although  we  are 
everywhere  informed  by  those  who  are  ignorant  upon  this 
subject  that  they  are  exceedingly  venomous.  So  long  as 
people  are  erroneously  educated  in  this  belief,  so  long  will 
the  poor  snakes  suffer  unjustly.  Snakes,  with  but  few 
exceptions,  are  neutral  regarding  the  interest  of  man. 

The  best  method  of  preserving  snakes  is  to  put  them 
into  alcohol  moderately  strong,  as  otherwise  the  scales  start 
easily.  Snakes  may  be  benumbed  by  thrusting  a  pin  into 
their  brains;  in  this  way  they  may  be  carried  from  place  to 
place  more  readily  than  if  they  were  uninjured. 

Snakes  may  be  skinned  after  making  a  longitudinal  in- 
cision, about  two  inches  long,  in  the  largest  part  of  the 
body,  on  the  belly  ;  then  by  drawing  back  the  skin,  the 
body  may  be  divided,  and  the  parts  drawn  out  each  waj7-. 
The  head  should  not  be  skinned.  The  eyes  are  removed, 
as  in  the  fishes,  from  the  outside.  The  skin  is  now  cov- 
ered with  arsenic  and  turned  back.  It  is  then  filled  with 
bran  to  the  natural  size.  It  may,  after  sewing  up  the 
incision,  be  placed  in  any  position  desired.  Artificial  eyes 
are  fixed  in  the  head. 

If  the  head  is  to  be  raised,  run  a  sharpened  wire 
through  the  top  of  it,  and  through  that  section  of  the 
neck  and  body  that  is  to  be  elevated,  through  the  skin  into 
a  board,  cut  off  the  protruding  end,  and  close  the  skin  of 
the  head  over  it.  After  the  skin  becomes  dry,  the  wire 
can  be  taken  out  of  the  board,  and  cut  off  close  to  the  body. 

Turtles  may  lie  preserved  in  alcohol,  or  they  may  be 
skinned  and  mounted  thus  :  With  a  small  steel  saw  cut 
out  a  square  section  on  the  under  shell ;  remove  this  find 
draw  the  intestines,  bones,  and  flesh  of  the  legs,  etc.,  out 


66  THE  NATURALIST'S   GUIDE. 

/of  the  hole  thus  formed  ;  skin  the  legs  down  to  the  toe- 
nails,  removing  everything  ;  skin  the  head  and  neck  ;  cover 
the  inside  of  the  shell  and  skin  with  arsenic.  Turn  the 
feet  and  neck  back,  and  stuff  them  to  the  natural  sizo 
with  cotton.  Fill  the  neck  with  bran  ;  roll  up  a  small  ball 
of  grass,  place  it  inside  of  the  shell ;  then  force  a  piece 
of  wire  through  it  into  the  head,  and  clinch  the  end  in 
the  ball.  Pack  cotton  or  hemp  around  the  grass  in  the  shell, 
to  keep  it  firm,  and  to  fill  up  the  empty  space  ;  then  re- 
place the  piece  of  shell  taken  out,  and  fasten  it  with  glue 
:or  putty. 

Now  put  the  animal  in  the  proper  attitude  upon  a  piece 
of  board,  and  arrange  the  feet  in  the  natural  position,  and 
pin  them  until  dry  ;  place  the  head  naturally.  The  eyes 
should  be  removed  from  the  outside,  and  artificial  ones 
substituted.  If  it  is  not  convenient  to  skin  a  turtle,  place 
it  in  boiling  water  a  few  moments,  when  the  softer  parts 
can  easily  be  removed  from  the  shell.  In  this  case,  how- 
ever, the  bones  and  skull  should  be  cleaned,  labelled,  and 
preserved  with  the  shell. 

For  scientific  specimens,  toads  and  frogs  must  be  pre- 
served in  alcohol.  But  they  may  be  skinned  in  the  follow- 
ing manner  :  Open  the  mouth  as  wide  as  possible,  and  cut 
.-through  the  bone  of  the  neck  or  back  from  the  inside  ;  do 
not  cut  the  skin  ;  then  separate  the  flesh  on  the  inside 
all  around.  Take  hold  with  the  thumb  and  forefinger,  or 
-with  a  pair  of  pliers,  of  the  backbone,  and  press  the  skin 
downwards,  and  draw  the  body  out.  When  the  forelegs 
appear,  cut  the  bone  and  flesh  off  to  the  toe-nails,  and  pro- 
ceed to  perform  the  same  operation  with  the  hind  legs. 
Cover  the  skin  with  arsenic,  and  turn  it  back,  —  the  legs 
*nay  be  easily  turned  by  blowing  into  them  with  the 
breath.  Fill  the  body  with  bran,  and  support  the  head 
in  a  natural  position  with  cotton  until  dry.  Remove  the 
eyes  from  the  outside,  and  supply  their  place  with  artificial 


REPTILES.  C7 

ones,  but  be  sure  to  place  them  in  the  proper  position. 
To  place  a  frog  or  toad  in  a  fancy  attitude,  place  a  ball  of 
gracs  in  the  body,  and  wire  the  legs  as  described  in  small 
mammals. 

The  best  time  to  collect  toads,  and  frogs  is  during  the 
breeding-season  in  spring.  The  salamanders  may  be  found 
under  stones  and  logs  in  damp  places ;  also  some  species  in 
springs  and  clear  running  brooks,  under  stones.  They 
must  be  placed  in  alcohol  at  once. 

Lizards  and  alligators  may  be  skinned  in  the  following 
manner  :  Make  an  incision  the  whole  length  of  the  belly, 
and  skin  as  described  in  mammals,  leaving  the  skull  in. 
Do  not  try  to  remove  the  skin  from  the  top  of  the  head,  as 
it  will  be  likely  to  tear.  The  leg-bones  should  be  cleaned 
and  left  in.  The  reptile  is  then  mounted  in  the  same 
manner  as  a  mammal.  Lizards  and  small  alligators  may 
be  put  in  alcohol. 

The  eggs  of  frogs  and  of  salamanders  may  be  preserved 
in  alcohol.  The  eggs  of  lizards,  alligators,  and  turtles 
may  be  blown  in, the  same  manner  as  birds'  eggs;  but  it  is 
well  to  place  some  in  alcohol  if  they  are  in  an  advanced 
state  of  incubation,  as  they  will  serve  to  illustrate  the 
growth  of  the  embryo.  But  the  egg  must  be  broken 
slightly  to  admit  the  alcohol  to  the  embryo. 

Last  winter  I  accidentally  made  a  discovery  relative  to 
the  preservation  of  tish  and  reptiles.  While  travelling  in 
Florida,  I  accidentally  lost  some  alcohol.  Being  unable 
to  replace  it,  and  having  some  reptiles  to  preserve,  1  put 
about  an  ounce  of  carbolic  acid  into  a  glass  jar,  with  half 
a  pound  of  arsenic  ;  to  this  1  added  a  quart  of  water,  —  I 
will  here  remark  that  the  waters  of  Florida  are  strongly 
impregnated  with  lime.  Into  this  composition  I  put  some 
reptiles  and  a  few  young  mammals.  After  two  weeks,  the 
jar  was  packed  with  others  in  a  box,  and  sent  North  by 
express. 


68  THE   NATURALIST'S   GUIDE. 

Upon  arriving  home,  and  opening  the  box,  I  found  that 
the  jar  had  become  broken,  and  the  liquid  had  escaped. 
The  smaller  reptiles,  etc.  I  placed  in  alcohol ;  but  a  rep- 
tile known  as  the  "  Glass  Snake  "  and  a  young  Rabbit 
were  left  out  for  want  of  room,  set  away  and  forgotten. 
Upon  looking  them  up  about  a  month  afterwards,  I  found, 
to  iny  surprise,  that  the  "  snake "  had  dried  completely 
without  shrinking  in  the  least,  and,  moreover,  it  retained  all 
the  peculiar  glossiness  of  life!  The  Rabbit  had  not  shrunk 
any  more  than  if  it  had  been  in  strong  alcohol. 

Such  is  the  result  of  an  accident.  Whether  this  discov- 
ery will  prove  of  general  practical  use  in  preserving  reptiles 
is  yet  to  be  proven. 


CHAPTER    V. 

MISCELLANEOUS    COLLECTIONS. 

SECTION  I.  Crustacea.  —  But  few  of  these  interesting 
objects  of  natural  history  live  away  from  the  salt  water. 
The  Crawfishes  and  a  few  others  form  the  exceptions  to 
the  rule.  All  Lobsters,  Crabs,  Shrimps,  and  Crawfishes 
may  be  preserved  dry.  Wash  them  in  fresh  water,  and, 
if  the  specimen  is  large,  remove  the  flesh  as  much  as 
possible  by  lifting  the  shield,  or  upper  part  of  the  shell. 
The  specimens  should  be  placed  in  as  natural  an  attitude 
as  possible  to  dry.  When  dry  they  should  be  handled 
with  care,  as  they  break  easily.  If  arsenic  is  put  into  the 
body,  it  will  help  to  preserve  it  and  keep  away  noxious 
insects. 

Small  Crabs,  Shrimps,  etc.  should  be  injected  with  car- 
bolic acid  and  dried  carefully.  Never  place  a  specimen  in 
the  sun  to  dry,  but  always  in  a  draught  of  air  in  the  shade. 
A  great  many  kinds  of  Shrimps  or  Sand-Fleas  may  be  col- 
lected from  under  sea-weeds  on  sandy  beaches. 

Collecting  Mollu*1c«.  —  Many  shells  may  be  collected 
on  the  sea-shore  among  the  rocks  at  low  tide.  Some 
of  the  more  minute  species  may  be  found  clinging  to  the 
sea-weed  that  grows  on  the  rocks.  These  require  delicate 
manipulation,  as  they  are  very  fragile ;  they  are  best  re- 
moved with  the  tweezers,  and  should  be  placed  in  wide- 
mouthed  bottles  containing  alcohol.  Some  species  of  cone- 
shaped,  univalve  shells  may  be  found  clinging  closely  to 
the  rocks.  They  should  be  seized  suddenly  with  the  hand, 
and,  before  the  animal  has  time  to  contract  itself,  —  which 
it  will  do  very  quickly,  and  then  it  adheres  so  closely  as 


70  THE    NATURALIST'S    GUIDE. 

to  render  its  separation  from  the  rock  without  injuring 
the  shell  extremely  difficult,  —  removed  with  a  sliding 
motion. 

Many  species  may  be  found  buried  in  the  rnud  and  sand 
below  high-water  mark.  The  exact  locality  where  these 
are  hidden  may  be  determined  by  searching  for  their 
breathing-holes  on  the  surface  of  the  mud  or  sand  ;  then, 
by  carefully  removing  a  few  inches  of  the  soil,  the  shell 
may  be  detected.  Numerous  species  may  be  taken  in 
deep  water  by  dredging,  or  with  a  rake,  such  as  is  used  in 
gathering  oysters,  etc. 

A  great  many  shells  may  be  procured  just  as  they  are 
cast  on  shore  from  the  action  of  the  waves;  these  must 
be  washed  in  fresh  water  and  dried.  The  different  species 
of  smaller  fresh-water  shells  may  be  found  upon  rocks, 
aquatic  plants,  and  on  the  surface  of  the  mud.  They 
should  be  placed  in  alcohol.  The  larger  species  —  such 
as  the  mussels  —  may  be  taken  by  dredging.  Numerous 
shells  of  mussels  may  be  found  at  the  entrances  of  "the 
holes  of  the  muskrats ;  of  these  the  collector  may  take  his 
choice,  as  many  of  them  are  in  excellent  condition  for  the 
cabinet. 

The  land  shells,  or  snails,  may  be  taken  from  the  differ- 
ent plants  upon  which  they  feed,  or  from  under  stones  or 
logs,  especially  in  damp  places.  The  smaller  species  should 
be  carefully  removed  with  tweezers,  as  they  are  very  fragile, 
and  placed  in  alcohol. 

Preserving  Shells.  —  It  is  well  to  preserve  in  alcohol 
numbers  of  all  species  of  shells  containing  the  animal.  To 
remove  the  contents  from  shells  that  are  to  be  dried  for 
the  cabinet,  boil  them  a  few  moments,  and  clean  them 
with  a  bent  pin  or  wire.  The  contents  of  the  different 
species  of  bivalves  may  be  removed  with  a  knife  without 
boiling,  as  by  this  method  the  shell  retains  its  color  much 
better.  The  bivalves  should  have  their  shells  closed  and 


MISCELLANEOUS  COLLKCTIONS  71 

tied  until  dry.  If  the  shells  of  mussels  have  a  chalky  ap- 
pearance, it  may  be  removed  by  immersing  the  specimen 
for  a  few  moments  in  a  bath  of  diluted  muriatic  acid.  All 
shells  should  be  carefully  washed  in  fresh  water  with  a 
tooth-brush. 

Never  varnish  a  shell ;  it  shows  bad  taste  to  try  to  im- 
prove upon  nature  in  this  way,  besides  injuring  the  speci- 
men for  scientific  use.  As  some  of  the  more  fragile  land 
shells  are  liable  to  crack  when  drying,  it  is  well  to  apply 
a  slight  coating  of  g'im-arabic  dissolved  in  water.  This  at 
some  future  time  may  be  easily  removed.  There  are  also 
some  species  from  which  the  epidermis  is  liable  to  peel ;  to 
prevent  this,  Mr.  F.  W.  Putnam  informs  me  that  they 
should  be  immersed  in  oil  for  a  short  time. 

Worms.  —  Marine  worms  may  be  found  in  the  sand  or 
mud  and  under  stories.  They  should  be  kept  in  strong 
alcohol.  Earthworms,  Leeches,  etc.  must  also  be  kept  in 
alcohol. 

Many  species  of  marine  worms  may  be  found  in  the 
hulls  of  ships,  or  in  wood  that  has  been  immersed  in  salt 
water  for  some  time. 

Animal  Parasites.  —  Recently  in  this  country,  and  for 
some  time  in  Europe,  attention  has  been  directed  by  emi- 
nent naturalists  to  the  parasites  found  on  birds  and  other 
animals,  and  in  their  intestines.  These*  should  be  placed  in 
alcohol.  The  parasites  from  each  bird  or  animal  should 
be  kept  separate,  in  small  phials,  with  the  name  of  the  bird 
or  animal  from  which  it  was  taken  attached,  also  the  date 
and  locality. 

The  Jelly-Fishes  may  be  found  in  deep  water  or  near  the 
shore  in  countless  numbers.  There  are  a  great  many  spe- 
cies. They  may  be  preserved  in  the  following  manner : 
After  catching  them  in  a  bucket,  pour  off  the  water,  and 
add  strong  alcohol,  a  little  at  a  time.  The  animal  will  give 
out  water  continually  during  this  operation,  and  alcohol 


72  THK    NATURALISTS    GU.DE. 

should  be  added  until  it  dies,  when  the  water  will  cease 
flowing.  It  should  then  be  removed  from  this  solution 
and  placed  in  strong  alcohol,  where  it  must  be  kept 
permanently. 

Corals  —  which  generally  grow  at  some  distance  from 
the  shore,  and  sometimes  in  deep  water  —  should  be  se- 
cured with  nets.  They  must  first  be  washed  in  fresh  water, 
then  dried  in  the  shade.  It  is  also  desirable  to  preserve 
specimens  in  alcohol. 

Sea- Anemones  are  found  attached  to  the  rocks  or  buried 
in  the  mud ;  they  should  be  plunged  in  strong  alcohol 
when  fully  expanded,  but  the  alcohol  should  afterwards  be 
changed,  as  they  give  out  large  quantities  of  water. 

Hydroids  and  Bryozoa.  —  Incrustations  on  the  rocks,  sea- 
weeds, and  delicate  tufts  found  growing  on  rocks,  etc., 
are  called  by  these  names.  They  may  be  dried  or  pre- 
served in  alcohol  like  the  Corals. 

Star-Fishes  may  be  found  among  the  rocks  at  low  tide. 
They  should  be  killed  by  immersing  in  alcohol  or  fresh 
water.  Some  species  should  be  preserved  in  alcohol,  where 
they  should  be  placed  in  as  natural  attitudes  as  possi- 
ble, as  when  they  become  rigid  it  is  impossible  to  alter 
the  position  of  the  arms.  They  may  be  dried  in  the 
sJiade  by  placing  them  in  natural  positions  upon  a  board. 
When  dead,  they  should  be  dried  instantly,  as  they  will 
decompose  in  a  few  hours  if  kept  in  a  damp  place. 

Sea-Urchins  may  be  taken  in  rocky  pools  at  low  water. 
They  may  also  be  found  under  the  sand  on  beaches,  from 
which  they  are  frequently  washed  by  the  waves.  They  may 
be  preserved  in  alcohol,  or  dried  like  the  Star-Fishes. 

Holothurias,  or  Sea-Cucumbers,  are  found  on  flats  or 
under  stones.  They  must  be  preserved  in  alcohol. 

Sponges  and  Seaweeds  should  be  dried  in  a  draught.  Very 
pretty  ornaments  are  made  of  the  sea-mosses  by  washing 
them  in  fresh  water,  and  spreading  upon  dampened  paper 


PREPARING   SKELETONS.  73 

with  a  fine  needle;  the  glutinous  matter  contained  in  the 
plants  will  cause  them  to  adhere  so  firmly  to  the  paper 
when  dried  and  pressed  as  to  look  like  a  very  fine  engrav- 
ing or  painting.  When  a  collection  of  these  are  executed 
by  a  skilful  and  artistic  hand,  and  bound  in  a  book,  they 
form  a  beautiful  and  interesting  volume.* 

SECTIO^  II.  Preparing  Skeletons.  —  I  will  give  the  meth- 
ods by  which  bones  may  be  cleaned.  To  clean  the  bones 
of  large  animals,  first  take  off  as  much  of  the  flesh  as  is 
possible  with  a  knife ;  then  put  them  in  slatted  boxes,  and 
place  the  boxes  in  a  running  stream,  or  between  tide-marks 
on  the  sea-shore.  The  boxes,  being  open,  will  allow  the 
entrance  of  Shrimp*,  other  aquatic  animals,  and  insects, 
who  will  devour  the  meat,  while  the  water,  having  free 
passage  through,  will  perform  its  part.  When  well  cleaned, 
wash  them  in  warm  soap-suds,  and,  after  rinsing,  dry  in 
the  sun  and  air;  this  will  tend  to  bleach  them. 

The  bones  of  smaller  animals  may  also  be  cleansed  in 
this  manner ;  but  the  better  way  is  either  to  boil  them  until 
the  flesh  comes  off  easily,  or  to  put  them  into  water  that 
has  been  impregnated  with  chloride  of  lime ;  in  both  cases 
the  bones  will  have  to  be  cleaned  afterwards  with  a  knife 
and  a  stiff  brush  ;  they  should  be  scraped  as  little  as 
possible.  If  kept  in  a  dry  place,  exposed  to  the  action 
of  the  air,  the  bones  will  bleach  constantly. 

Mounting  Skeletons. — To  mount  the  skeleton  of  a  bird, 
place  a  wire  through  the  hole  occupied  by  the  spinal  cord, 
and  fasten  it  in  the  skull ;  this  will  hold  the  vertebra  of 

*  As  there  is  not  a  general  interest  manifested  in  the  objects  alluded  to 
in  this  section,  I  have  given  but  few  directions  for  collecting  and  preserv- 
ing them,  but  such  as  will,  perhaps,  satisfy  the  general  collector.  Those 
who  are  particularly  interested  in  thorn  will  find  in  the  pages  of  the  vari- 
ous numbers  of  the  ''American  Naturalist"  more  particular  directions  for 
collecting  and  preserving  each  branch  of  this  truly  interesting  class  of 
animals,  written  by  the  most  competent  and  well-informed  men  in  our 
country 

4 


74  THE   NATURALIST'S    GUIDE. 

the  neck  and  tail,  and  other  bones  of  the  back,  in  position. 
Next,  force  a  wire  through  the  hollows  in  the  bones-  of  the 
tarsi,  tibia,  and  hips  (Plate  X.  k,  y,  j)  by  drilling  a  hole 
through  each  end;  now  fasten  this  wire  to  the  broad  bone 
that  coTers  the  back  (m),  by  drilling  a  hole  through  on 
each  side  and  bending  the  wire  down  firmly  (x),  first  over 
then  under  the  bone,  where  it  meets  the  end  of  the  oppo- 
site wire ;  twist  the  ends  together.  The  wing,  breast,  and 
other  bones  are  now  fastened  on  by  drilling  holes  trans- 
versely through  the  ends  and  running  wires  through  and 
twisting  them  (r,  d). 

The  skeletons  of  mammals,  fishes,  etc.  are  mounted  in 
much  the  same  manner.  If  large,  they  are  supported  on 
iron  rods.  The  wire  used  must  be  composed  of  brass  or 
copper,  as  iron  corrodes  easily.  The  fleshy  or  cartilaginous 
parts  of  the  feet  should  be  removed,  but  not  the  outer  or 
horny  portion  of  the  bill. 


PREPARING   SKELETONS. 


75 


CHAPTER    VI. 

COLLECTING   AND    PRESERVING    EGGS. 

No  portion  of  natural  history  has  received  more  atten- 
tion than  the  science  of  Oology ;  yet  in  very  many  cases 
collections  of  eggs  are  made  in  such  a  careless  manner  as 
to  render  them  worthless,  except  as  ornaments,  on  account 
of  the  collector's  not  paying  sufficient  attention  to  identifi- 
cation and  authentication. 

Let  identification,  then,  he  the  collectors  first  care  ;  let 
him  make  it  a  rule  never  to  take  an  egg  or  nest  until 
he  can  surely  tell  to  what  species  it  belongs.  The  best 
method  of  learning  the  name  of  the  owner  of  the  nest  is  to 
shoot  her,  especially  by  collectors  who  have  had  but  little 
experience  in  studying  birds ;  while  the  more  practised 
ornithologist  can  generally  tell  at  a  glance,  if  the  bird  is 
large,  what  it  is.  While  collecting  the  eggs  of  the  War- 
blers and  other  small  birds,  the  most  experienced  oologist 
should  never  neglect  to  shoot  the  bird,  even  if  he  has  to 
watch  for  it  a  long  time. 

Nests  and  eggs  should  never  be  labelled  on  the  author- 
ity of  a  person  who  has  found  them,  and  only  seen  the 
birds,  but  who  is  in  a  comparative  degree  unacquainted 
with  them.  The  nest  should  be  seen  in  situ,  and  the  bird 
identified.  I  have  known  a  great  many  errors  to  arise  from 
this  source. 

Commence  early  in  spring  to  look  for  the  nests  of  the 
rapacious  birds,  and  continue  the  search  for  these  and 
other  nests  until  late  in  summer.  I  know  of  no  rule  to  be 
followed  in  finding  nests.  Search  long  and  diligently  in 
every  locality  frequented  by  birds ;  and  watch  them  while 


OOLLKCTING   AND   PRESERVING   EGGS.  77 

building.  Place  straw,  hay,  cotton,  hemp,  or  any  of  the 
materials  that  birds  use  in  constructing  their  nests,  in 
un  exposed  situation  in  a  swamp  or  wood,  then  by  watch- 
ing the  birds  when  they  come  to  take  it,  and  following 
them,  many  nests  will  be  found  that  would  otherwise 
escape  notice. 

To  remove  the  contents  of  an  egg,  drill  a  small  hole 
in  one  side  with  a  drill  made  for  this  purpose  (Plate  I. 
Figs.  5,  6) ;  two  sizes  of  these  drills  will  be  required.  Now, 
with  the  blow-pipe  —  of  which  two  sizes  are  also  needed, 
(Fig.  7)  —  applied  to  the  lips,  force  a  small  stream  of  air 
into  the  hole ;  this  will  cause  the  contents,  if  fresh,  to 
escape  at  the  one  hole.  To  prevent  breakage  while  drill- 
ing the  eggs  of  the  Humming-Birds,  or  other  small  birds,  it 
is  well  to  cover  the  outer  surface  with  thin  paper,  gummed 
securely  on,  and  dried. 

To  remove  the  contents  of  an  egg  that  has  the  embryo 
partially  developed,  drill  as  before,  only  a  larger  hole  is 
necessary  ;  then  with  a  small  hook  (Fig.  8)  remove  the 
embryo  in  small  pieces ;  after  which  introduce  water  with 
the  blow-pipe  to  rinse  the  interior  of  the  egg.  If  the  con- 
tents are  allowed  to  remain  in  a  few  days,  it  will  facilitate 
their  removal.  If  the  egg  is  covered  with  paper,  as  in  the 
case  of  the  Hurnming-Birds,  the  edges  of  the  hole  will  be 
less  liable  to  be  injured  by  the  shell  being  broken  while 
using  the  hook. 

Never  make  holes  at  the  end  of  the  egg,  or  on  opposite 
sides  ,  but  if  this  old  method  is  still  preferred,  they  should 
both  be  made  on  one  side,  with  the  larger  one  nearest  the 
greater  end. 

The  best  method  that  I  know  of  for  authenticating  eggs 
is  the  following  :  After  the  egg  is  blown,  place  a  number, 
written  with  ink,  upon  it,  corresponding  with  one  placed 
in  the  nest,  then  draw  a  line  beneath  it ;  under  this  line 
place  the  number  of  the  egg  in  the  nest  :  thus  *-'  would 


78 


THE   NATURALIST'S   GUIDE. 


mean  that  the  nest  is  No.  29,  and  the  egg  is  the  No.  4  of 
.that  nest;  both  of  these  numbers  will  refer  to  a  book, 
where  all  the  particulars  of  the  finding  of  the  nest,  the 
locality,  measurements  of  the  nest,  eggs,  etc.  in  inches, 
are  recorded. 

The  method  of  preparing  a  book  like  that  referred  to 
above  may  be  seen  in  the  following  specimen  :  — 


O 


8- 


& 

I 

I 

ill 


O  .J 

SS 


!_i_t 

£   5 


COLLECTING   AND   PRESERVING   EGGS.  79 

The  measurements  of  an  egg  are  taken  with  the  dividers 
in  hundredth**  of  an  inch.  The  number  is  attached  to  the 
nest.  Nests,  if  composed  of  loose  materials,  must  be  kept 
in  boxes,  separated  from  each  other ;  if  lined  with  feathers, 
benzine  should  frequently  be  applied,  to  prevent  their  being 
attacked  by  nioths. 


PART    II. 
CATALOGUE 

OF 

THE  BIRDS  OF  EASTERN  MASSACHUSETTS, 

WITH 

NOTES  RELATIVE  TO  THEIR  MIGRATION,  HABITS, 

ETC.,   ETC.,   ETC. 


PART    II. 


INTRODUCTION. 

ORNITHOLOGISTS  of  the  present  day  are  much  indebted  to 
the  earnest  and  enthusiastic  men  who  studied  the  habits 
of  our  birds  in  years  past ;  but  truthful  and  careful  though 
they  may  have  been,  being  but  mtn,  they  were  fallible.  As 
this  is  an  age  of  advancement,  it  behooves  us  of  the  present 
day,  while  we  are  in  a  measure  guided  by  these  teachings, 
not  to  be  biased  by  the'.r  conclusions,  that  we  may  detect 
the  errors  which  they  unconsciously  committed. 

If,  while  endeavoring  to  correct  some  deeply  seated  error 
of  the  past,  we  disagree  with  our  brother  ornithologists, 
let  us,  with  the  spirit  of  the  true  naturalist,  who  would 
advance  the  study  of  Natural  History,  bring  infallible  proofs 
of  its  being  an  error,  thereby  convincing  without  offending. 

If  in  the  following  pages  I  unwittingly  make  mistakes, 
I  am  ready  to  be  convinced  by  sufficient  proof. 

In  separating  birds  into  species,  too  much  dependence 
has  been  placed  upon  exceedingly  variable  characters  as 
valid  specific  distinctions.  For  instance,  the  bill,  although 
in  the  main  retaining  its  shape,  is  sometimes  subject  to 
wide  differences ;  this  is  well  illustrated  in  the  Terns, 
where  they  are  extremely  changeable  in  the  length  and 
curve  of  the  culmen ;  they  also  vary  in  coloration  ;  yet 
in  determining  species,  these  points  are  now,  and  always 
have  been,  considered  of  value. 

The  comparative  length  of  the  quills   is   another  very 


84  INTRODUCTION. 

inconstant  character,  and  in  but  few  cases  can  it  he  de- 
pended upon.  This  has  been  used  as  a  distinguishing 
mark  in  separating  some  of  the  smaller  Flycatchers.  I 
have  tested  it,  and  found  it  to  be  valueless,  as  there  is  no 
rule  relative  to  age  or  sex  by  which. this  is  governed. 

Again,  intensity  arid  paleness  of  color  have  been  almost 
unanimously  considered  of  specific  value.  Indeed,  some 
species  have  been  formed  wholly  upon  this  peculiarity ! 
(Witness  Turdus  Alicia.)  Spots  and  bars  on  the  wings, 
and  streaks  on  the  rump,  are  characters  changing  with 
age  and  season,  and  should  never  be,  depended  upon. 

Another  thing  is  the  difference  in  size;  any  one  who 
has  collected,  and  carefully  measured,  birds  of  one  species 
from  one  locality,  in  any  numbers,  will  at  once  be  con- 
vinced of  the  absurdity  of  paying  any  attention  to  this 
particular  in  determining  specific  characters.  As  perti- 
nent, I  wish  here  to  announce  a  somewhat  surprising  dis- 
covery that  I  have  made.  After  a  careful  measurement 
of  over  three  thousand  specimens,  I  have  been  convinced 
of  the  fact,  that  birds  for  a  certain  period  increase  in  size, 
after  which  they  gradually  decrease.  Whether  the  period  of 
decrease  is  limited  or  not  during  the  life  of  the  bird,  I  am 
unable  at  present  to  state.  The  period  of  increase  may  also 
be  variable,  both  specifically  and  individually,  which  yet  re- 
mains to  be  proven.  Both  the  increase  and  decrease  are 
proportional ;  feet,  bill,  wings,  and  body  alike  keep  equal 
pace.  This  rule  is  not  without  its  exceptions,  but  in  the 
majority  of  cases  it  is  the  rule,  and  I  offer  it  to  my  fellow- 
laborers  to  prove  and  use  in  their  ornithological  investi- 
gations. 

Besides  those  named,  there  are  other  distinctions  used 
in  determining  species,  that  in  some  cases  are  inconstant. 
I  think  it  advisable  always,  before  attempting  to  sepa- 
rate a  supposed  species  from  one  closely  allied,  to  procure 
a  sufficiently  large  number  of  specimens,  and  carefully 


INTRODUCTION.  85 

study  these  seeming  distinctions,   and  decide   if  they  are 
constant. 

Specific  characters  are.  I  believe,  sufficiently  tangible 
and  constant  in  nature,  and  never  need  be  mistaken ;  this 
will  hereafter  be  illustrated.  I  would,  however,  first  speak 
strongly  in  disfavor  of  the  growing  belief  in  the  hybridism 
of  birds,  I  do  not  believe  that,  generally  speaking,  hybrids 
occur ;  there  are  a  few  cases,  but  they  are  exceptions.  In 
many  instances  the  so-called  hybrids  are  but  abnormal  con- 
ditions of  plumage,  that  can  be  accounted  for  on  entirely 
natural  grounds.  But  sometimes  the  ornithologist,  in  his 
haste  to  make  new  species,  has  divided  the  two  opposite 
stages  of  color  in  one  species,  calling  each  by  a  different 
specific  name,  and  has  afterwards  found  specimens  that 
in  their  peculiar  plumage,  size,  etc.  naturally  form  con- 
necting links  between  the  two ;  in  his  perplexity  as  to 
which  of  these  to  refer  it,  he  has  hit  upon  the  fortunate  (?) 
expedient  of  calling  it  a  "hybrid."  Would  it  not  have 
been  much  better,  if,  at  first,  he  had  taken  a  large  num- 
ber of  specimens,  and,  studying  them,  seen  what  the  sup- 
posed hybrids  really  were  1 

I  have  yet  to  meet  with  a  single  instance  of  hybridism 
even  among  local  races,  although  these  perhaps  occur  — 
but,  I  think,  seldom  —  among  well-defined  species  while 
undomesticated. 

Species  consists  in  a  bird's  having  certain  characters  so ' 
well  defined,  although  inconstant  (but  never  variable  beyond 
a  certain  point),  that  it  may  readily  be  distinguished  from 
others.  Take,  for  an  illustration,  the  Robin,  a  bird  that 
since  its  discovery  has  never  had  a  single  variety  or  local 
race  called  a  "new  species"  (at  which  I  marvel  greatly,  how- 
ever). The  typical  specimen  has  a  clear  red  breast,  black 
head,  and  immaculate  slate-colored  back  and  wings,  which 
at  once  distinguish  it  from  all  others  of  the  TurdiiKv. 
We  also  have  a  Robin  that  is  very  light-colored,  with  the 


86  INTRODUCTION. 

red  almost  obsolete,  the  wings  sometimes  spotted,  and  the 
black  of  the  head  pale.  Perhaps  it  is  a  much  smaller 
bird  than  the  average,  but  no  one  thinks  of  calling  this 
a  "  new  species " ;  although,  if  it  were  not  for  the  fact 
that  there  are  Robins  presenting  every  shade  in  color  and 
difference  in  size  between  this  and  the  typical  specimen, 
it  would  certainly  be  a  good  species.  Why  are  not  the 
same  variations,  which  we  can  here  see  at  a  glance,  dis- 
covered in  the  other  members  of  this  family  1  They  cer- 
tainly exist.  But  more  of  this  anon. 

The  Robin  has  also  characters  that  it  bears  in  common 
with  other  Turdince,  which  are  its  true  generic  characters. 
If,  then,  we  cannot  establish  a  connecting  link  in  the  man- 
ner described  between  one  species  and  its  nearest  allies, 
we  may  be  sure  that  it  never  *  mixes  with  others  in  breed- 
ing, but  always  mates  with  one  having  the  same  pecu- 
liarities as  itself,  although  changeable  to  a  certain  point. 
This  constitutes  a  natural  species.  If,  on  the  other  hand, 
we  do  find  a  connecting  link,  many  times  repeated  in  differ- 
ent individuals,  between  a  supposed  species  and  its  nearest 
ally,  we  may  be  sure  that  they  are  one. 

In  the  succeeding  pages  I  have  followed  the  classifica- 
tion of  Professor  W.  Lilljeborg,  of  Upsala,  as  adopted  pro- 
visionally by  the  Smithsonian  Institution.  The  original 
method  being  the  ascending  or  progressive  mode,  while 
the  one  used  is  the  descending  mode,  with  other  minor 
changes. 

This  classification  is  by  far  the  best  in  use,  although, 
perhaps,  not  perfect.  By  the  old  methods  the  Vulture, 
vile  feeder  of  carrion,  was  placed  first,  and  we  were  told 
to  look  to  him  as  king  of  the  birds.  But  King  Vulture 
has  been  dethroned,  and  in  his  stead  reigns  the  Thrush 
king  over  all ;  crowned  for  his  sprightly  intelligence  and 

*  The  well-known  exceptions  to  this  rule  lire  Qtlnpte*  nuratut  mixing 
with  C  Mtxicnniu;  two  of  the  Junco$,  and  perhaps  others 


INTRODUCTION.  87 

lively  song,  and  he  has  not  his  equal.  As  before,  however, 
the  birds  that  approach  nearest  the  fishes  are  rightfully 
placed  the  lowest  (Penguins,  Grebes,  Divers,  etc.). 

In  writing  the  present  catalogue  I  have  received  much 
assistance  from  the  excellent  list  of  Dr.  Eliot  Coues ;  also 
from  the  very  complete  list  of  Mr.  J.  A.  Allen,  to  whom  I 
express  my  sincere  thanks  for  other  services.  I  am  also 
under  obligations,  for  valuable  information,  to  Mr.  William 
Bre water,  of  Cambridge ;  Professor  S.  F.  Baird,  of  the 
Smithsonian  Institution ;  Mr.  H.  B.  Farley,  of  Chelsea ; 
Mr.  E.  L.  Weeks,  of  Newtonville ;  Mr.  J.  F.  Le  Baron,  of 
Ipswich ;  and  especially  to  Mr.  Henry  A.  Purdie,  of  West 
Newton,  for  valuable  notes  concerning  the  time  of  migra- 
tion, etc. 

In  giving  the  time  of  migration,  I  have  taken  the  aver- 
age for  many  years,  or  the  earliest  or  latest  date  observed 
during  a  similar  period. 

All  information  that  I  have  received  has  been  accredited 
to  the  individuals  who  have  given  it.  The  occurrence  of 
all  other  birds,  or  notes  upon  them,  I  have  given  upon  my 
own  authority.  When  facts  about  some  particular  species 
are  well  known,  having  been  published  before,  I  have  not 
repeated  them. 

C.  J.  M. 

NKWTONVILLK,  September  20,  1869. 


CATALOGUE. 


TURDID^E,  —  THE  THRUSHES. 

1.  Turdus   migratorius,    LINN. — Robin.     Common 
summer  resident ;  abundant  everywhere ;  breeds  as  abun- 
dantly    A  few  winter  regularly ;  but  I  am  inclined  to  think 
that  these  are  visitors  from  the  north,  and  do  not  reside 
during  summer.     The  regular  summer  residents  arrive  in 
the  latter  part  of  February,  and  depart  in  November. 

2.  Turdus  naevius,  GM.  —  Varied  Thrush.     Has  been 
taken  once,  at  Ipswich,  in  December.     It  is,  however,  en- 
tirely accidental. 

3.  Turdus  mustelinus,  GM.  —  Wood  Thrush.     Modt 
erately  common  summer  resident ;  nests  on  low  bushes  or 
trees  in  swampy  woods  or  thickets.     I  have  found  the  nest, 
with  young,  as  early  as  June  4th.    The  usual  time  of  nest- 
ing in  this  section  is,  however,  about  June  1st.     Arrives 
from  May  llth  to  18th,  departs  about  the  middle  of  Oc- 
tober. 

I  have  invariably  found  this  bird  exceedingly  shy  and 
difficult  to  approach.  It  may  be  seen  in  early  morning,  find 
during  the  evening  twilight,  in  the  breeding-season,  perched 
on  the  topmost  bough  of  some  tall  tree,  pouring  out  a  flood 
of  delightful  melody.  In  autumn  it  does  not  sing,  and  ia 
seldom  seen. 

4.  Turdus   Pallasii,    CAB.  —  Hermit    Thrush.     Very 
common  during  its  migrations,  especially  in  autumn,  whew 


90  THE  NATURALIST'S   GUIDE. 

it  is  found  everywhere  in  the  woods.  In  the  spring1  it  fre- 
quents the  swampy  woods,  and  is  more  shy.  Arrives  from 
the  south  from  April  9th  to  22d ;  remains  about  two  weeks, 
when  it  departs  northward.  Arrives  from  the  north  about 
October  1st.  Becomes  very  plentiful  by  the  10th.  By  the 
1st  of  November  the  greater  part  disappear,  although  a  few 
remain  until  quite  late  in  the  month.  Have  taken  it  in 
Coos  County,  northern  New  Hampshire,  on  October  31st, 
although  the  ground  was  covered  with  snow  six  inches  deep 
at  the  time  !  also  in  Oxford  County,  Maine,  as  late  as  No- 
vember Cth. 

I  have  never  heard  it  give  any  note,  except  a  low  chirp 
of  alarm,  while  passing  through  Massachusetts.  A  few 
undoubtedly  breed  here.  I  have  seen  it  at  Hyannis  on 
July  3,  1868.  There  is  also  a  nest  containing  four  eggs, 
labelled  as  belonging  to  this  bird,  collected  at  North  Bev- 
erly, June  14,  1868,  by  Mr.  E.  P.  Emmerton,  in  the  mu- 
seum of  the  Peabody  Academy  of  Science  at  Salem. 

5.  Turdus   fuscescens,    STEPH.  —  Wilson's    Thrush, 
Tawny  Thrush,  "  Veery."    Common  summer  resident.    Ar- 
rives from  April  30th  to  May  12th;  leaves  about  the  1st 
of  September.      Found  everywhere  in  the  woods,  where  it 
breeds  abundantlv. 

6.  Turdus  Swainsonii,  CAB. — Olive-backed  Thrush. 
Rather  rare  spring  and  autumn  migrant.      Have  taken  it 
from  May  16th  to  June  1st  in  spring,  and  in  autumn  from 
September  25th  until  October  9th.   Frequents  thick,  swampy 
woods  and  thickets,  where,  from  its  shy  and  retiring  habits, 
it  is  very  difficult  to  detect.     This  bird  is  quite  variable  in 
size  and  intensity  of  color,  insomuch  that  ornithologists  have 
long  considered  specimens  of  a  somewhat  larger  size  (al- 
though not  always)  and  of  a  universally  pale  color,  a  "new" 
and  a  "good  species,"  called  the  "Gray-cheeked  Thrush" 
(Turdus  Alicite,  Baird).     It  is  strange  that  when  the  wide 
differences  in  this  family  are  so  well  known  and  so  generally 


BIRDS   OF   EASTERN   MASSACHUSETTS.  91 

acknowledged,  regarding  the  intensity  of  color  and  size, 
that  ornithologists  will  persist  in  regarding  them  as  char- 
acters of  specific  value.  And  more  incomprehensible  still 
is  the  fact,  that  well-reasoning  ornithologists  cannot  see 
the  often-repeated  and  perfectly  natural  connecting  links, 
both  in  intensity  of  color  and  size,  between  the  two  ex- 
tremes, and  understand  the  fact  of  their  being  connect- 
ing links,  but  prefer  rather  to  depart  from  the  great  and 
(I  believe)  unvarying  laws  that  the  mighty  Ruler  of 
the  universe  has  established  for  the  maintenance  of  spe- 
cies inseparable  since  their  creation,  and  call  them  "hy- 
brids." 

If  in  our  furor  for  forming  new  species  we  admit  such 
intangible  characters  as  these  to  be  of  specific  value,  we 
cannot  consistently  stop  here,  but  out  of  this  one  species 
alone  we  must  (governed  by  these  laws)  make  at  least  six ! 
For  T  have  seen  as  many  constant  stages  of  plumage  among 
specimens  of  T.  Sivainsonii,  besides  numerous  so-called  hy- 
brids. But  enough  has  already  been  written  by  Mr.  J.  A. 
Allen  in  the  "  Memoirs  of  the  Boston  Society  of  Natural 
History,"  Vol.  I.  Part  IV.,  commencing  on  page  507,  upon 
this  subject,  to  convince  any  one  who  will  examine  for 
himself  of  the  invalidity  of  "Alicice"  as  a  species.*  Mr. 
Allen  has  given  the  subject  much  thought,  and  presents  it 
in  the  right  light. 

7.  Seiurust  aurocapillus,  SWAIN.  —  Golden-crowned 
Thrush,  "  Oven-Bird. "  A  very  common  summer  resident, 
found  everywhere  i:i  the  woods.  Its  curiously  covered  nest 
is  placed  on  the  ground.  Arrives  from  May  2d  to  10th; 
leaves  about  the  middle  of  September. 

*  Examine  " '  Birds  of  Springfield,'  Proceedings  Essex  Institute,"  Vol. 
IV.  pp.  56-58;  also  "  American  Naturalist.11  Vol.  II.  p.  622. 

t  This  genus  which  has  long  been  placed  with  the  Sylvicolidce,  I  think 
closely  allied  to  the  true  Thrushes.  Its  habits  as  well  as  its  anatomical 
structure,  give  it  a  place  among  the  Turdidce.  Members  of  this  genus 
might  properly  bear  the  name  of  Terrestrial  Thrushes. 


92  THH   NATURALIST'S   GUIDE. 

8.  Seiurus  noveboracensis,  NUTT. — Water  Thrush, 
"Water  Wagtail."      Not  uncommon  during  the  migrations. 
Have  taken  it  from  May  15th  to  27th.     It  passes  Massa- 
chusetts in  September.     It  is  found  in  swampy  thickets, 
and  on  the  edges  of  streams,   ponds,   and  pools  of  water. 
It  is  not  very  shy,   and   in   its  actions  reminds  one  of  a 
Sandpiper.     It  may  possibly  breed  here,  but  I  have  never 
detected  it  during  the   summer   months.       It  has.    while 
with  us  in  spring,  a  singularly  pleasing  song. 

The  Large-billed  Water  Thrush  (Sdarm  Ltidovicianus, 
Bonap.)  ought  to  occur,  as  I  have  seen  a  specimen  that  was 
taken  by  my  friend,  Mr.  Allen,  near  Springfield. 

9.  Harporhynchus    rufus,   CAB.  —  Brown    Thrush, 
"  Thrasher,"  k'  Ferruginous  Mocking-Bird."     Common  sum- 
mer resident ;  breeds  abundantly  ;  nests  on  low  bushes  or 
on  the  ground,  —  more  frequently  in  the  latter  situation. 
Arrives  from  April   23d  to   May   4th  ;    departs  about  the 
1st  of  October. 

10.  Mimus  Carolinensis,   GRAY.  —  Cat-Bird.     One 
of  the  most  common  and  best  known  of  all  our  birds ;  also 
very  beneficial  to  the  husbandman,  in  spite  of  the  almost 
universal  prejudice   against   it.      Breeds  abundantly   near 
houses,  in  hedges,  along  the  edges  of  woods,  or  in  swampy 
thickets.     Arrives  from  April  29th  to  May  7th  ;  takes  its 
departure  about  the  middle  of  October. 

11.  Mimus  polyglottus,  BOIE. — Mockiny-Bird.    Has 
been    taken   in  the   western   part  of  the  State.      I    have 
never  seen  a  specimen  in  this  region,  but  Mr.  N.  Vickery 
informs  me  that  he   has  seen  one  that  was  taken  some 
years  ago  in  Lynn. 

SAXICOLID.E,  —  THE  ROCK-!NHABITERS. 

12.  Sialia    sialis,     BAIRD.      Blue-Bird.  — Common; 
breeds  abundantly  in  holes  in  trees  or   in  martin-boxes. 


BIRDS   OF    EASTERN    MASSACHUSETTS.  93 

Arrives  as  early  as  February  27th;  becomes  common  by 
March  10th;  leaves  about  the  1st  of  November. 


SYLVIID.E,  — THE  WARBLERS. 

13.  Regulus     calendulus,     LIGHT. — Ruby-crowned 
Kinglet.     Common  spring  and  autumn  migrant.     Arrives 
in  spring,  from  April  10th  to  22d ;  remains  until  the  first 
week  in  May ;  arrives  from  the  north  the  second,  and  de- 
parts south  the  last,  week  in  October.    Found  in  the  woods 
and  orchards  everywhere. 

14.  Regulus  satrapus,  LIGHT.  —  Golden-crowned  King- 
let.    Abundant  winter  resident.    Found  everywhere.     Have 
taken  it  from   October   14th  until  May  9th.     Commonly 
seen  in  company  with  the  Chickadee. 

The  Blue-gray  Gnatcatcher  (Polioptila  ccerulea,  Sclat.) 
is  said  to  occur.     I  have  never  met  with  it  in  this  section. 


PARID.E,  — THE  TITMICE. 

15.  Parus  atricapillus,  LINN. — Black-capped  Titmouse, 
11  Chickadee."  Abundant  resident.  Found  everywhere  ; 
no  bird  is  better  known.  Builds  its  nest  by  drilling  a  hole 
in  a  partly  decayed  tree,  generally  a  birch.  It  sometimes, 
however,  occupies  other  holes  in  trees.  It  builds  its  nest 
about  the  first  of  May. 


CERTHIID.E,  —  THE  CREEPERS. 

16.  Certhia  familiaris,*  LINN. — Brown  Creeper. 
Resident.  Rather  rare  during  summer,  but  common  in 
winter.  Found  everywhere,  —  in  the  woods,  in  orchards, 

*  The  supposed  difference  between  the  American  and  European  Certhia. 
is  not  tangible,  therefore  the  specific  name  of  Americana  becomes  »• 
eynonyme. 


94  THE   NATURALIST'S   GUIDE. 

and  on  the  elm-trees  in  the  streets  of  the  villages.     Said 
to  build  its  nest  in  May  in  holes  of  trees. 

• 

SITTID^E,  —  THE  NUTHATCHES. 

1 7.  Sitta     Carolinensis,    GM.  —  White-bellied   Nut- 
hatch.    Common  resident,  perhaps  more  so  during  spring 
and  autumn  ;  breeds.     I  have  seen  the  young  fully  fledged 
by  June  6th. 

18.  Sitta  Canadensis,  LINX. —  Red-bellied  Nuthatch. 
Rather  common  winter  resident.     Arrives  about  the  mid- 
die  of  October.     Perhaps  a  few  remain  to  breed,  as  I  have 
taken  it  in  the  latter  part  of  May.     Found  in  the  woods 
everywhere. 

TROGLODYTID.E,  — THE  WRENS. 

19.  Troglodytes   aedon,  VIEILL. — House    Wren. 
Common    summer    resident,    but    exceedingly  local  in  its 
distribution.     In  Newton  it  is  very  rare  during  the  breed- 
ing-season, while  in  Cambridge  it  breeds  abundantly.    Ar- 
rives from   April    30th   to  May  20th ;   leaves   about    Oc- 
tober 1st. 

After  a  critical  examination  of  a  large  series  of  Wrens 
I  have  come  to  the  conclusion  that  the  so-called  "  Wood 
Wren"  (Troglodyte*  America  nu$,  Aud.)  is  this  species  in 
unusually  dark  plumage.  I  have  in  my  possession  birds 
exhibiting  the  well-known  marks  of  immaturity,  as  gene- 
rally paler  colors,  with  spots  upon  the  wings.  With  such 
birds  the  superciliary  stripe  is  better  denned.  But  this 
character  is  variable,  and  cannot  be  depended  upon.  I 
have  also  birds  with  generally  darker  colors,  with  the 
superciliary  stripe  wanting  or  barely  perceptible.  The 
wings  are  unspotted,  and  the  breast  exhibits  faint  undu- 
lating transverse  lines  or  bars  of  darker.  These  are  the 


BIRDS   OF  EASTERN   MASSACHUSETTS.  95 

extremes  ;    I  have  birds  exhibiting  every  shade  of  color 
between,  but  remarkably  variable. 

Upon  these  inconstant  characters  does  the  specific  value 
of  Americana  rest!  Very  pertinent  then  are  the  grave 
doubts  expressed  by  ornithologists  as  to  its  validity  as  a 
species.  The  following  is  an  accurate  description  of  the 
specific  characters,  with  the  more  important  synonymes, 
and  a  table  of  comparative  measurements. 

Troglodytes  aedon,  VIEILL.  —  House  Wren, 

Troglodytes  neJon.  VIELLOT,   Ois.    Am.   Sept   II.  1807,  32;  PI. 

CVIl. —la.  Xouv.  Diet.  XXXIV.  1819,  506. 
«  «•  BONAP.,  Obs.  Wilson,  1825,  No.  136. 

•«  *  RKMI  ,  K.  Bor.  Am.  II.  1831,  316. 

-  -  AUD..  Orn.  Biog.  I.  1831,  427:  V.  1839;  PI. 

LXXXIII.— IB.  Syn.  1839,  75.  — IB.  Birds 
Am.  II   1841,  125;  PI.  VIII. 
•*  "  B  AIRI>,  Birds  N.  Am.  1858, 367. 

"  SA  M  IJELS.  Oni.  and  Otil.  of  N.  Eng.  1867, 196. 

"  "  COUKS,  I* roc.  Essex  Inst.  V.  1867,  278. 

Sylcin  domtstica  WILSON,  Am.  Orn.  I.  1808,  129;  PI.  VIII. 

NUITAI.L,  Man.  I.  1832,  422. 
RICH.,  List,  1837. 

At'i>.,  Orn.  Biog.  II.  1834,  452:  V.  1839,  469, 
PI.  179.  —In.  Birds  Am.  II.  1841,  123;  PI. 
119. —  IB  Syn.  1839,75. 
•*  **  IlAiitn,  Birds  N.  Am.  1858,  368. 

u  COUKS,  Proc.  Essex  Inst.  V.  1867,  278. 

SP.  CH.  — ;  Bill  extremely  variable  in  size,  dark  brown, 
paler  at  the  base  of  the  lower  mandible.  Upper  parts  dark 
brown,  becoming  more  rufous  on  the  rump  and  upper  tail- 
coverts  ;  middle  of  back  and  upper  tail-coverts  faintly  barred 
transversely  with  irregular  lines  of  darker.  The  brown  of 
the  back  is  exceedingly  changeable ;  when  it  becomes  light- 
colored,  these  bars  are  almost,  if  not  quite,  obsolete ;  wings 
distinctly  and  more  regularly  barred  transversely  with 
black  ;  tail  reddish  brown,  irregularly  but  distinctly  barred 
transversely  with  black,  —  sometimes  this  black  has  a  lighter 
edging ;  under  parts  dirty  white,  becoming  pale  brown  on 


96  THE  NATURALIST'S   GUIDE. 

sides,  abdomen,  and  under  tail-coverts.  Middle  of  breast, 
sometimes,  and  sides,  faintly  and  irregularly  barred  with 
transverse  lines  of  pale  brown.  During  autumn  and  winter 
this  pale  brown  of  the  sides,  abdomen,  and  under  tail-cov- 
erts, becomes  quite  rufous,  and  the  bars  on  the  sides  much 
more  distinct.  Abdomen  and  under  tail-coverts  more  regu- 
larly and  distinctly  barred  transversely  with  dark  brown  ; 
eyes  brown.  Feet  varying  from  brown  to  paler,  sometimes 
almost  white.  In  this  stage  it  is  the  T.  Americanos  of 
authors. 

In  younger  stages  the  plumage  differs  from  this  in  hav- 
ing the  upper  parts  paler,  with  the  bars  on  the  middle  of 
the  back  almost,  and  in  some  specimens  quite,  obsolete. 
The  bars  on  the  wings  are  not  as  distinct,  and  there  are 
on  the  ends  of  the  wing-coverts  small  triangular  spots  of 
dirty  white.  There  is  generally  a  dirty-  white  superciliary 
stripe  over  the  eye.  The  middle  of  the  breast  is  without 
the  faint  barrings.  The  under  mandible  of  the  bill  is 
sometimes  pale  brown  the  whole  length.  This  is  the  T. 
aedon  of  authors.* 

The  first  stage  is  somewhat  uncommon,  while  the  inter- 
mediate and  the  last  are  of  more  general  occurrence. 

It  will  be  seen  by  the  table,  that  no  rule  can  be  fixed 
where  color  can  be  made  to  coincide  with  size. 

20.  Anorthura  hyemalis,  UENNIE.  —  Winter   Wren. 
Rare  in  this  section  during  the  migrations.      I  have  seen  it 
in  October  and   in   April.      I  have  never  met   with  it   in 
winter,  and  doubt  if  it  occurs  during  that  season.      I  found 
it  very  abundant  in  Oxford  County,   Maine,  from  October 
12th  to  22d,  when  it  disappeared.      Frequents  low  bushes 
by  the  roadside  and  along  stone  walls.     It  is  shy,  and  diffi- 
cult to  approach  while  it  is  in  sight,  as  upon  the  appear- 
ance of  man  it  immediately  hides. 

21.  Cistothorus  stellaris,  CAB.  —  Lonrj-Ulled 


*  Occasionally  the  young-of-the-yeur  assume  the  darker  plum:»<r«  of  the 
adult  :  this  was  the  ca.ee  with  No.  2970. 


BIRDS  OF  KASTEBS  MASSACHUSETTS. 


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98  THE  NATURALIST'S   GUIDE. 

Wren.     Common  in  the  large  fresh-water  marshes  during 
summer,  where  it  breeds  during  the  latter  part  of  May. 

22.  CistOthoniS  palustris,  CAB.  —  Short-billed  Marsh 
Wren.  Rather  more  common  than  the  preceding.  Fre- 
quents the  same  localities.  It  is  exceedingly  difficult  to 
procure,  on  account  of  its  lying  very  closely  when  hunted. 


MOTACILLID.E,  — THE  WAGTAIL. 

23.  Anthus  Ludovicianus,  LIGHT.  —  Tit-lark.  Abun- 
dant spring  and  autumn  migrant  along  the  coast.     I  am 
informed  by  my  friend,  Mr.  William  Brewster,  that  it  is 
also  abundant  on  the    Fresh    Pond    marshes,   near  Cam- 
bridge.    It  has  the  habit  of  jerking  its  tail  like  the  Water 
Thrushes. 

SYLVICOLID^E,  —  THE  WOOD-WARBLERS. 

24.  Mniotilta  varia,  VIEILL.  —  Black  and  White  Creep- 
er.    Common  summer  resident.     Abundant  during  the  mi- 
grations.    Found  in  the  woods  everywhere.     Arrives  the 
last  week   in  April ;  leaves  the  latter  part  of  September. 
Breeds. 

25.  Parula  Americana,     BON.  —  Blue  YeUow-bacM 
Warbler.     Summer  resident.     This  beautiful  little  Warbler 
seems  to  be  a  somewhat  irregular  visitor  while  migrating. 
During  the  spring  of  1867  it  was  very  abundant ;  in  18(58 
I  could  find  but  two  or  three,   although   I  searched  dili- 
gently for  it ;    while    the   season    of  18G9   brought   it    in 
particular   abundance.      Found    generally    in    oak    woods. 
Arrives  about  the  second  week  in  May ;  leaves  in  the  mid- 
dle of  September.     Mr.  William  Brewster  informs  me  that 
it  breeds  Quite  commonly  in  certain  localities. 

26.  Geothlypis   trichas,   CAB.  —  Maryland    Yellmv- 


BIRDS   OF   EASTERN   MASSACHUSETTS.  99 

throated  Warbler.  Abundant  summer  resident ;  breeds, 
commonly  in  marshy  or  swampy  places.  Arrives  from 
May  1st  to  13th  ;  leaves  about  the  first  week  in  October  or 
the  latter  part  of  September. 

27.  G-eothlypis   Philadelphia,   BAIRD.  — Mourning 
Warbler.     Very  rare.     May  21,   1866,  Mr.  William  Brew- 
ster  shot  a  male  in  Cambridge,  on  the  top  of  a  tall  tree. 
Another  specimen  of  the  same  sex  was  taken  at  the  Fran- 
conia  Mountains,  New  Hampshire,  on  August  3,  1807.    "  It 
was  in  company  with  four  fully  fledged  young,  which  it  was 
feeding.     The  young,  being  shy,  and  in  a  thicket  of  low 
bushes,  were  not  procured.     The  old  bird  was  catching  flies 
after  the  manner  of  the  Flycatchers."  *     1  have  met  with 
this  species  but  once ;  that  was  in  May,  among  low  bushes, 
in  a  swampy  place. 

28.  Oporornis    agilis,  BAIRD.  —  Connecticut    Warbler. 
Very  rare,  especially  during  spring.      1  can  record  but  four 
instances  of  its  capture,  —  a  male,  among  low  bushes,  in 
Newton    Centre,    on    September   16,   1867,   by  Mr.   L.   L. 
Thaxter ;    I   procured    another  male  in   September,    1868, 
also  among  low  bushes,  in  a  swampy  place.      My  specimen 
was  very  shy.      It  was  exceedingly  fat  ;   I  never  met  with  a 
bird  more  so.     Mr.  H.  A.  Purdie  has  also  taken  specimens 
twice  in  September. 

29.  Icteria  viridis,  Box.  —  Yellow-breasted  Cknt.    Ex- 
ceedingly rare  summer  visitor.      Shot  a  male  in  full  plu- 
mage in  a  swampy  thicket  in  the  spring  of  1862.     This 
is    the    only    instance     recorded    of   its   capture    in    this 
locality. 

30.  Helminthophaga  ruficapilla,  BAIRD.  —  Xa*h- 
ville  Warbler.     Common  on  the  migrations.      A  few  breed. 
Arrives  from   May  6th  to    18th  ;    departs    in   September.: 
Frequents  the  woods  everywhere,  generally  keeping  near 
the  tops  of  the  trees  or  on  the  higher  branches. 

*  MS.  Notes  of  Mr.  W.  Brewster. 


100  THE   NATURALIST'S    GUIDE. 

31.  Helminthophaga   peregrina,   CAB.  —  Tennessee 
Warbler.      Very    rare    spring    and    autumn    migrant.     Be- 
tween the   18th  and  the  24th  of  May,  1869,  I  shot  four 
specimens,  all  males,  on  apple-trees  in  Newtonville.     This 
is  the  first  record  of  its  capture  in  Eastern  Massachusetts. 
A  pair,  male  and  female,  were  shot  by  Mr.  William   Brew- 
Bter,  near  Mount  Auburn,  on  high  oak-trees.     It  has  a  very 
pleasing  note.     Its  breeding  place  is  unknown  ;  probably  in 
the  northern  sections  of  JSew  England,  however,  it  finds  a 
secure  home. 

32.  Helminthophaga   pina,   BAIRD.  —  fllue-wnged 
Yellow   Warbler.      AAr.  E.  A.    Samuels  gives   it  as  a    very 
rare  summer  resident.      "  In  1857,  in  the  month  of  May, 
about  the   12th  or  15th,  1  found  a  small  flock  in  Dedhum, 
Massachusetts."*     It  is  also  given,  by  other  ornithologists, 
as  very  rare.      1  have  never  met  with  it. 

33.  Helminthophaga  chrysoptera,  BAIRD. —  Golden- 
winged   Warbler.     Rather  common  summer  resident.     Ar- 
rives from  May  15th  to  29th. 

I  had  long  suspected  this  beautiful  Warbler  of  breed- 
ing with  us  ;  this  season  my  suspicions  were  confirmed. 
The  following  is  an  extract  from  my  note-book:  — 
.  "  June  12,  1869.  —  Walking  this  morning  in  a  lane  that 
goes  through  a  piece  of  woods  in  West  Newton,  my  atten- 
tion was  attracted  by  hearing  the  sharp  alarm-note  of  a 
female  of  this  species,  who  was  sitting  upon  a  small  elm- 
tree  by  the  roadside,  within  a  few  yards  of  me.  Knowing 
by  her  actions  that  she  had  a  nest  in  the  immediate  vicin- 
ity, I  retreated  a  few  rods  and  watched  her.  In  a  few 
moments  she  flew  down  into  the  grass  and  tall  weeds  at 
the  foot  of  the  tree.  I  waited  a  little,  then  went  quickly 
to  the  spot ;  after  a  short  search  I  discovered  the  bird 
sitting  on  the  nest  almost  at  my  feet !  She  instantly 
flew  off,  and  alighted  upon  a  tree  near  by,  disclosing  to  my 
*  "Ornithology  and  Oology  of  New  England,"  1867,  p.  213. 


BIRDS    OK  '*  EA<6TEfofc  »M  ASS*  A  <S&  *feV/I  T&J  ''  101 


delighted  gaze  the  eggs.  They  were  the  first  I  had  ever 
seen,  and  I  was  much  pleased.  Full  well  was  I  now  repaid 
for  all  my  former  searching  through  swampy  thickets  and 
briery  hedges  for  this  bird's  nest. 

"  The  locality  chosen  was  within  a  few  feet  of  a  lane  where 
an  occasional  pedestrian  passed,  and  within  eight  rods  of  a 
travelled  road  !  These  facts  are  surprising,  inasmuch  as 
the  general  habitat  of  this  bird  is  in  lonely,  swampy  places, 
remote  from  man  and  his  ways.  About  twenty  rods  away 
was  a  swampy  thicket;  from  this  the  land  sloped  gradually 
up  to  the  spot  where  the  nest  was  placed.  There  was, 
apparently,  no  attempt  at  concealment  whatever  ;  to  be 
sure,  at  the  time  of  discovery  it  was  partly  overshadowed 
by  some  ferns  and  rank  weeds  ;  but  these  must  have 
grown  after  the  nest  was  built,  and  it  was  plainly  percep- 
tible to  a  person  standing  upright.  It  was  placed  upon 
a  small  bit  of  green  moss,  without  the  slightest  depression 
of  the  ground  ;  indeed,  the  spot,  if  anything,  was  slightly 
elevated  above  the  surrounding  surface.  Over  all  waved 
the  branches  of  the  pretty  little  elm  upon  which  I  first  saw; 
the  bird.  There  were  a  few  scattering  oak  and  elm  trees. 
in  the  immediate  vicinity. 

"  The  nest  is  composed  outwardly  of  large  oak-leaves,  of 
the  previous  year,  and  grapevine  bark,  and  is  lined,  not 
very  smoothly,  with  fine  grass  and  a  few  horse-hairs.  It 
is  large  for  the  size  of  the  bird,  quite  deep,  and  slightly 
smaller  in  di  imetcr  at  the  top  than  in  the  middle.  The 
whole  structure  is  not  nearlv  as  neat  as  would  be  expected 
from  so  small  and  elegant  a  bird,  and  reminds  one  strik- 
ingly of  the  nest  of  the  Maryland  Yellow-throat.  The 
dimensions  are:  Depth  externally  3.15  inches,  internally 
2.20.  Diameter  internally  in  the  middle  2.25,  at  the  top 
1.90;  diameter  externally  3.50. 

"  The  e<j</s  are  f'orr  in  number,  very  prettily  marked,' 
and  proportionate  'to  the  size  of  the  bird.  No.  1  is  per- 


102  r;iK   N,A",  C^ALISI'S.  QUIDE. 

feet  in  form  ;  measures  .67  X  .55,  and  is  pure  white,  spotted 
and  blotched  with  reddish  brown,  thickly  at  the  larger  and 
sparsely  at  the  smaller  ends.  No.  2,  also  perfect ;  measures 
.66  X  .55  ;  is  spotted  at  the  larger  end,  but  not  as  thickly 
as  No.  1  ;  very  sparsely  at  the  smaller  end.  No.  3,  per- 
fect;  measures  .66  X  .55;  but  few  spots  on  the  larger 
end  compared  with  the  others ;  the  spots  on  the  smaller 
end  are  few  and  scarcely  perceptible.  No.  4  is  not  so  per- 
fect in  form,  being  smaller  in  the  middle;  measures  .67X 
.50 ;  the  spots  on  the  larger  end  form  an  irregular  ring 
around  a  comparatively  clear  centre ;  the  egg  is  but  little 
spotted  elsewhere.  There  was  also  a  Cow-Bunting's  eg<r  in 
the  nest."* 

It  is  a  strange  fact  that  among  all  the  birds  of  this 
species  I  have  seen,  I  have  never  met  with  a  female  be- 
fore. I  will  here  give  a  short  description,  as  compared 
with  the  plumage  of  the  male,  of  the  one  which  I  shot,  as 
it  differs  from  that  given  by  others.  The  yellow  on  the 
\vings  is  as  bright  as  in  the  male,  and  that  of  the  crown 
nearly  as  bright.  Not  as  much  white  on  the  tail.  The 
throat  and  cheeks,  black  in  the  male,  are  in  this  case  slate. 
The  middle  of  the  back,  which,  in  the  perfectly  mature 
male,  —  with  which  this  should  be  compared,  as  it  is  evi- 
dently a  perfectly  mature  female,  —  is  of  a  beautiful  pearl 
gray,  in  this  case  is  strongly  tinged  with  the  greenish 
shade  seen  in  young  males.  The  under  parts  are  yellow- 
ish instead  of  a  clear  white. 

I  have  invariably  found  this  Warbler  in  swampy  places, 
generally  on  the  edges  of  woods. 

34.  Dendroeca  virens,  BAIRD. — Black-throated  Green 
Warbler.  Abundant  during  the  migrations ;  but  breeds 
commonly.  Arrives  from  April  30th  to  May  19th;  de- 
parts in  September.  Found  everywhere  in  the  woods,  but 
generally  among  pine-trees. 

*  "The  nest  is  rnre,  although  I  have  seen  half  a  dozen  altogether  "  — 
Professor  S   F.  Bum*  in  K|>i*t. 


BIRDS   OF   EASTERN    MASSACHUSETTS.  103 

35.  Dendroeca  coerulescens,  BAIRD.  —  Black-throated 
Blue  Warbler.     Rare  during  the  migrations.     Have  taken 
it  from  May  15th  to  24th.    I  have  always  found  it  in  mixed 
woods.    'k  Although  not  generally  common,  I  found  it  quite 
plentiful  during  the  season  of  1869."* 

36.  Dendroeca    coronata,   GRAY.  —  Ydlow-rumped 
Warbler,  "  Myrtle-Bird."     Very  abundant  during  the  migra- 
tions.   Arrives  from  April  20th  to  May  5th.    I  have  seen  it 
from  April  18th  until  the  1st  of  June.     Appears  about  the 
last  week  of  September  in  great  numbers,  in  straggling,  de- 
tached flocks  ;  remains  until  November  1st.     Perhaps  some 
remain  during  the  winter,  at  which  time  I  have  met  with 
it  in  great  numbers  in  Florida. 

37.  Dendroeca  castanea,  BAIRD. — Bay-breasted  War- 
bler.    Exceedingly  rare.      Possibly  breeds,  as  I  have  taken 
a  male  on  June  19,  1867.     Arrives  from  May  17th  to  22d. 
I  have  never  met  with  this  species  in  autumn.     (See  D. 
striata.)     Mr.  Brewster  says  that  he  has  taken  it  in  Wolf- 
boro',  New  Hampshire,  in  May.    Frequents  the  woods  every- 
where. 

38.  Dendroeca  Blackburniae,  BAIRD.  —  Mrs.  Black- 
burn's Warbler,  Bfadchttmitin  Warbler.    In  some  seasons  not 
uncommon  during  the  migrations.     Arrives  from  May  Nth 
to    27th  :  departs    for   the    south    in    September.      Found 
everywhere,  both  in  the  woods  and  on  apple-trees. 

39.  Dendroeca    pina,    BAIRN.  —  Pint-creeping    War- 
bler,   Pine  Wdrblo-.      Common   during  the  migrations.     A 
few   breed.     Arrives  from   April    9th   to  22d  ;    departs  in 
September.      Found  everywhere. 

40.  Dendroeca  Pennsylvanica,  BAIRD.  —  Chestnut- 
sided  Warbler.     Common  summer    resident ;   breeds  com- 
monly.    Arrives  from  May  r>th  to  19th;  departs  about  the 
second  week  in  September.     Found  everywhere. 

41.  Dendrceca   striata,   BAIRD. — Black-polled  War- 

*  Mr.  W.  Brewster,  in  MS. 


104  THE   NATL'KALISrS    GUIDE. 

bier.  Very  abundant  spring  and  autumn  migrant.  I  have 
taken  it  in  spring  from  May  15th  until  June  9th;  in  au- 
tumn, from  September  19th  until  the  latter  part  of  Oc- 
tober, —  during  this  season  it  is  very  numerous.  I  think 
the  Sylvia  autumnali^  Wils.,  is  really  the  young  of  this 
species.  I  have  shot  hundreds  of  this  species  in  autumn, 
but  have  never  taken  one  or*  the  other  (D.  castanea). 

42.  Dendrceca    aestiva,    BAIRD. — Summer    Yellow- 
Bird.      The  most  coiu.no;)   of  the  Dendrceca  in  summer; 
breeds  abundantly.     Arrivvs  from  April  30th  to  May  8th  ; 
departs  early  in  September. 

43.  Dendrceca  maculosa,  BAIBD. — Black  and  Yellow 
Warbler.      Rather  rare  migrant,  although  common  during 
the  spring  of  1867.     Arrives  the  third  week  in  May;  have 
taken  it  from  the  23d  to  the  27th  ;  have  never  met  with  it 
in  autumn.     Freq- tents  the  woods  everywhere. 

44.  Dendrceca  palmarum,  BAIRD. — Red-Poll  War- 
bler, "Palm  Warbler.'     Al>  aidant  during  the  migrations. 
I  have  taken  it  from  April  Dth  to  May  10th.     In  autumn  it 
arrives  from  the  north  about  the  middle  of  September,  and 
occupies  about  two  weeks  in  passing.     The    most  terres- 
trial of  all  the  Dendwa.     Found  everywhere. 

45.  Dendrceca  discolo1:,   BAIRD.  —  Prairie   Warbler. 
Rather  common  summer  resident.     Arrives  from  May  13th 
to   19th.     Frequents  the   high   sandy  fields  grown  up  to 
bushes,   or  rocky  hillside   covered   with    barberry  bushes, 
where  it  breeds.      Has  a  most  peculiar  song,  which  is  al- 
most indescribable. 

I    have    never  met  with  the   Blue   Warbler  (Dendroeca 
cceridea,  Baird)  although  it  perhaps  rarely  occurs. 

46.  Perissoglossa  tigrina,  BAIRD.  —  Cape  May  War- 
bler.     Exceedingly  rare  spring    and    autumn  migrant.      I 
have  never  met  with  it.      Mr.   W.  Brewster  has  taken  it 
in  an  apple-tree  on  May  17,  1867.     The  late  Dr.  Henry 
Bryant  once  showed  me  quite  a  number  of  skins,  which  he 


BIRDS    OF   EASTERN    MASSACHUSETTS.  105 

said  were  taken  in  eastern  Massachusetts,  in  spring,  upon 
apple-trees  when  in  bloom. 

47.  Myiodioctes  pusillus,  Box.  — Black-capped  Fly- 
catchinf/  Warbler.     Not  uncommon  during  the  spring  mi- 
grations.    Have  taken  it  from  May  18th  to  24th,  but  have 
never  seen  it  in  autumn.      It  sings  well ;  has  more  of  the 
habits  of  a  Warbler  than  a  Flycatcher.     Frequents  thickets, 
often  by  the  side  of  a  stream ;  I  have  also  shot  it  on  the 
tops  of  high  trees. 

48.  Myiodioctes  Canadensis,  AUD.  —  Canada  Fly- 
catching    Wat-hi.tr.      Common    during   the    migrations.       I 
have  taken  it  from  May  22d  to  June  4th.     It  is  said  to 
breed.     Frequents  low  bushes  on  the  edges  of  woods. 

The  Hooded  Flycatching  Warbler  (Myiodioctes  mitra- 
tus,  Aud.)  may  occur,  but  1  have  yet  to  meet  with  a  single 
well-authenticated  instance  of  its  capture. 

49.  Setophaga  ruticilla,  SWAIN.  —  Redstart.     Com- 
mon summer  resident.     Arrives  from  May  5th  to  19th; 
last  seen  about  September  10th.     This  species  loves  the 
deep  woods,  where  it  builds  its  nest,  generally  in  the  fork 
of  a  high  limb,  on  some  lofty  tree. 

HIRUNDINIDJE,  — THE  SWALLOWS. 

50.  Hirundo  hcrreorum,  BARTOX.  —  Barn  Sivallow. 
Very  abundant  summer  resident.     Arrives  the  last  week  in 
April  ;  departs  in  early  September.      Nests  in  barns. 

.51.  Potrochelidon  lunifrons,  (JAB.  —  Cliff  Swallow, 
Eaves  Sunfbtw.  Common  summer  resident.  Arrives  the 
first  week  in  May  ;  leaves  in  the  latter  part  of  August. 
Breeds  under  the  eaves  of  barns,  generally  in  associations, 
hundreds  sometimes  choosing  one  building ;  hence  it  is 
sometimes  called  the  "  Republican,"  or  "  Sociable  Swallow." 
Formerly  nested  under  cliffs. 

52.    Tachycineta  bicolor,  CAB.  —  White-bellied  Swal- 


106  THE   NATURALIST'S   GUIDE. 

low,  "White-bellied  Martin."  Abundant  summer  resi- 
dent. Arrives  from  March  31st  to  April  12th;  the  first 
of  the  Swallows  in  spring,  also  remaining  the  latest,  de 
parting  about  the  middle  of  September.  It  congregates 
upon  the  salt  marshes  during  the  latter  part  of  August 
and  first  of  September  literally  by  millions  ;  the  air  is  so 
completely  filled  with  them  that  it  is  almost  impossible  to 
discharge  a  gun  without  killing  some.  Nests  in  the  mar- 
tin-houses, or  in  holes  in  buildings.  1  was  extremely  in- 
terested when,  in  company  with  my  friend,  Mr.  Allen,  we 
found  a  nest  containing  six  eggs,  built  in  the  primitive 
manner,  in  a  hole  of  an  old  blasted  cedar-tree,  upon  the 
Ipswich  Sand-hills.  The  tree  had  probably  stood  there  for 
centuries. 

53.  Cotyle  riparia,  BOIE.  —  hank  Swalhiv.  Abun- 
dant summer  resident,  especially  along  the  coast.  Arrives 
from  May  1 3th  to  2 1  st  ;  leaves  the  last  week  in  August. 
Breeds  by  the  thousand  in  the  sandy  banks  along  our 
shore,  also  in  the  interior.  Both  sexes  assist  in  incuba- 
tion. 

f)4.  Progne  SUbis,  BAIRD.  —  Purple  Martin,  "Black 
Martin."  Common  summer  resident ;  somewhat  local  in 
its  distribution ;  very  abundant  upon  Cape  Cod,  while  in 
some  places  in  the  interior  it  is  rare.  Arrives  the  last 
week  in  April ;  leaves  about  the  last  week  in  August. 


YIREONIIXE,-  -  THK  VIREOS. 

55.  Vireo  olivaceus,  VIEILL.  —  J\e<J-eyed  Vireo.    Very 
abundant    summer    resident.      Arrives    from    May  4th    to 
19th ;  leaves  about  the  middle  of  September.     Nests  on 
trees  in  the  woods,  where  it  is  always  found. 

56.  Vireo  gilvus,   BON.  —  Warbling    Vireo.     Common 
summer  resident.     Arrives  from  May  8th  to   16th;  last 


BIRDS   OF    EASTERN   MASSACHUSETTS.  107 

seen  September  17th.  Frequents  orchards;  seldom  seen  in 
the  thick  woods.  Nests  in  trees,  either  in  an  orchard  or 
among  scattering  forest-trees,  never  in  the  deep  woods. 
This  bird  is  easily  distinguished  from  the  other  Vireos  by 
its  warbling  and  continuous  song. 

The  "  Brotherly-love  Vireo"  (  Vireo  Philadelphicus,  Cass.) 
may  occur  as  a  rare  summer  visitor,  as  it  has  been  taken 
in  Maine. 

57.  Vireo    sslitarius,    VIEILL.  —  Blue-headed    Vireo% 
"Solitary   Vireo."-  -  Rather   rare  during   the    migrations. 
Arrives   about    the    last    week    in    April,    passes    quickly 
through ;  found  again  in  September.     Frequents  the  woods 
everywhere.     Perhaps  a  few  breed,  for  my  friend,  Mr.  J.  T. 
Brown,   Jr.,    has   taken    it    in   Jane,    at    Concord,    Massa- 
chusetts'. 

58.  Vireo  flavifrons,  VIEILL.  —  Yellow-throated  Vireo. 
Rather  common  summer  resident.     Arrives  from  May  9th 
to  15th;  leaves  about  the  first  week  in  September.     Fre- 
quents open  woods  and  orchards,  where  it  breeds,  nesting 
on  trees. 

59.  Vireo  noveboracensis,  Box. — White-eyed  Vireo. 
Rather  common  summer  resident  in  localities;  rare  in  New- 
ton, but  common   in   the  adjacent  towns.     Arrives   from 
May  10th  to  16th.     Frequents  swampy  places,  where  it  is 
somewhat  difficult  to  procure,  but  is  easily  detected  by 
its  loud  and  peculiar  notes.     Breeds ;  builds  its  nest  on 
the  lower  branch  of  a  small  tree,  or  on  a  low  bush ;  it  ia 
generally  hidden  by  the  surrounding  grass  or  foliage,  and 
is  difficult  to  find. 


AMPELID^,  —  THE  WAXWINGS. 

GO.  Ampelis  garrulus,  LINN. —  Bohemian  Waxwing. 
Accidental  winter  visitor  from  the  north.  The  only  in- 
stances of  its  capture  in  the  eastern  section  of  the  State, 


108  THE   NATURALIST'S   GUIDE. 

that  I  am  aware  of,  occurred  near  Worcester,  where  several 
were  taken ;  they  were  in  the  possession  of  Dr.  Henry 
Bryant,  of  Boston ;  and  Mr.  J.  A.  A  lion  informs  me 
that  Mr.  S.  Jillson  took  several  at  Berlin  a  few  years  ago. 
Mr.  William  Bre  water  also  saw  a  specimen,  during  Novem- 
ber of  1809,  at  Watertown. 

61.  Ampelis  cedrorum,  BAIRD. —  Wdxwmcr,  Cedar- 
JSird,   "Cherry-Bird,"   "VJamuJa  Robin."     Resident.     Gen- 
erally found  through  the  winter ;    not  always    abundant, 
however.      It  becomes  numerous  in  May,  when  it  does  con- 
siderable  injury  to  the   fruit   of  apple-trees  by  devouring 
the  petals  and  stamens  of  the  blossoms.      It  eats  the  small 
fruits,  also  a  large  number  of   insects,   especially  canker- 
worms,  in  the  seasons  when  these  pests  rage.      It  breeds 
late,  not  until  the  middle  of  June.     During  the  latter  part 
of  July  it  may  be    seen  catching    insects   over   ponds  or 
streams.     During  September  and   October    it  disappears ; 
but  in  November  it  reappears,  and  until  the  next  spring 
feeds    upon  the    berries  of  the  cedar   and    rnountain-ash. 
Gregarious  at  all  times,  it  is,  perhaps,  less  so  during  the 
breeding-season,  at  which  time  it  is  seen  in  small  parties. 

LANIID.E,  —  THE  SHRIKES. 

62.  Collurio  borealis,  BAIRD.  —  Great  Nwthern,  Sltri.ke.. 
Winter   visitor,   but    somewhat    irregular    in    numbers   at 
various  seasons.     When  the  Lesser  Red-Polls  or  the  Pine 
Finches  are  common,   the  Shrikes  follow   them  and    prey 
upon  them.      Have  known   it  to  occur  from  October  6th 
to  April  10th. 

TANAGRID.E,  —  THE  TANAGERS. 

63.  Pyranga  mbra,  VIEILL. — Scarlet  Tanayer.    Rather 
common  summer  resident.    Arrives  from  May  10th  to  2»ith  ; 


BIRDS   OF   EASTERN    MASSACHUSETTS.  109 

remains  until  the  latter  part  of  September.  Found  in  open 
oak  woods  more  plentifully  during  the  spring  migrations. 
Nests  on  the  top  of  small  trees. 

04.  Pyranga  aestiva,  VIEILL.  —  Summer  Tanayer. 
"Summer  Red-Bird."  Accidental.  "Two  were  taken  in 
Lynn  after  a  severe  storm,  April  21,  1852."*  I  saw  one 
in  the  collection  of  Mr.  A.  L.  Babcock,  at  Sherborne, 
which  was  taken  near  that  place;  this  specimen  was  a 
male  in  immature  plumage.  It  has  a  loud  and  pleasing 
song. 

FRINGILLIDJE,  — THE  FINCHES  AND  SPARROWS. 

65.  Finiccla    Canadensis,   CAB. — Pine    Grosbeak, 
An    irregular    winter    visitant.      On    November    4,    18G6, 
large  numbers  appeared,  and  remained  through  the  winter, 
feeding  upon  the  berries  of  the  cedar ;  by  February  27, 
1867,  it  disappeared  ;  it  was  also  common  during  the  win- 
ter of  18G8-G9. 

The  true  reason  of  the  visits  of  this  northern  bird  is 
not,  as  many  suppose,  the  severe  winters,  but  its  migra- 
tions are  regulated  entirely  by  the  supply  of  food.  While 
visiting  northern  Maine  and  New  Hampshire  in  the  au- 
tumn of  1868,  I  observed  that  the  cone-bearing  trees, 
upon  the  seeds  of  which  this  bird  in  a  great  measure 
subsists,  had  but  few  cones  upon  them ;  hence  its  abun- 
dance in  Massachusetts  during  the  succeeding  winter.  It 
is  very  unsuspicious,  and  may  be  taken  with  a  noose  upon 
a  pole ;  is  easily  tamed,  and  will  in  a  short  time  become 
quite  familiar. 

66.  Carpodacus  purpureus,  GRAY. — Purple  Finch. 
Abundant  resident.     Breeds,  nesting  in  cedar-trees.    Found 
during  summer  everywhere ;  during  winter,  among  thick 
groves  of  cedar.      Eagerly  eats  the  petals   and   stamens 

*  S.  Jillson,  "  Proceedings  of  the  Essex  Institute/'  I.  p.  224. 


110  THE   NATURALISTS   GUIDE. 

of  the  apple-blossom ;  also  eats  a  few  insects ;  but  gen- 
erally feeds  upon  seeds.  The  plumage  of  the  male  of 
the  first,  second,  and  third  years  is  gray  like  the  female; 
on  the  fourth  year  it  assumes  the  brighter  male  plumage. 
Both  sexes  sing,  —  the  females  not  as  loud  as  the  males, 
however. 

67.  Astragalinus  tristis,  CAB.  —  Goldfinch,  "  Yellow- 
Bird,"  "Thistle-Bird."     Abundant  resident;  gregarious  in 
winter.     Breeds  late  in  June. 

68.  Chrysomitris  pinus,   BON.  —  Pine  Linnet,   Pine 
Fin<:h.  —  Another   irregular   winter    visitor,    whose    move- 
ments are  regulated  by  the  supply  of  food,  but  in  a  differ- 
ent manner  from  P.  Canadensis  ;  it  feeds  upon  the  seeds 
of  weeds  a  great  deal  during  winter ;   in  fact,  they  form  its 
principal  supply  of  food   after  the  seeds  of  the  birch  are 
exhausted.     When  the  snow  is  deep  in  the  region  north  of 
Massachusetts,  and  covers  the  weeds  to  such  a  depth  that 
they  are  not  exposed,  then  we  have  a  visit  from  this  bird. 
It  was  very  numerous   during   the  winter  of   1859 -GO, 
remaining  until  quite  late ;  after  that  time  I  did  not  meet 
with  it  until  the  winter  of  1868-69,   when  it  was  quito 
common  ;  it  remained  until  the  last  week   in   May.     Its 
nest  has  been  found  at  Cambridge. 

69.  JBgiothus  linarius,  CAB.  —  Red-Poll,  Lr**er  Red- 
Poll  Linnet.      Irregular  in  its  visits,  and  governed  by  the 
same  laws  as  the  preceding,  with  the  exception  that  it  is 
a  more  restless  species.     Common  all  the  seasons  that  the 
preceding    have    been,    and    in    the  winter   of    1866-07. 
Have  taken  it  from  the  last  of  December  until  t .1  >  2.r)tli  of 
April. 

The  JRgiotku*  "  exilipes  "  of  Coues  (jE.  canescens  of  other 
ornithologists)  is  only  a  paler  variety  of  this  species,  of 
which,  if  we  admit  the  inconstant  characters  used  in  con- 
structing it  (^E.  "exilipes")  as  tangible,  we  have  im  almost 
endless  array  of  species. 


BIRDS   OF   EASTERN   MASSACHUSETTS.  Ill 

70.  Curvirostra  Americana,  WILS.  —  Red  Crossbill 
Irregular  in  its  visits  ;  the  same  laws  regulate  its  appear- 
ance as  govern  P.  CauadeMVs,  and  it  is  generally  found  the 
same  seasons.     Frequents  the  pine  woods.      More  numer- 
ous in  the  winter  of  1862  —  63  than  1  have  ever  seen  it 
before ;  it  remained  until  April,  when  it  was  in  full  plu- 
mage and  in  full  song.     In  the  autumn  of  1868  some  in- 
teresting  facts   relative    to    the    movements  of  this    bird 
came  under  my  notice.     During  the  latter  part  of  August 
it  became  quite  numerous,  and  some   specimens  were  in 
immature  plumage ;  this  would  seem  to  indicate  that   it 
breeds  in  Massachusetts.       Upon  going  to  Albany,  Maine, 
later  in  the  season,  I  was  informed,   by  the  farmers,  that 
in   August  the  Crossbill  had  appeared  in  great  numbers, 
and  had  done  great  damage  to  the  oats  by  eating  them 
and  cutting  oft'  the  heads.      When  the  oats  were  harvested, 
it  disappeared  ;  and  at  that  time  (October  12th)  tlure  waa 
not  a  single  specimen  to  be  found !     These  were  evidently 
the  birds  that  appeared  in  Massachusetts  in  the  latter  part 
of  August.      Indeed,   it   passed  'south   of  Newton,    MasRa- 
chusetts,   as  upon  my  return,   in    November,   not   a  bird 
was  to  be  found !     It  breeds  in  winter  in  Maine,  during 
the  month  of  February;  this  statement  is  made  u;x>n  the 
authority  of  Mr.   G.   A.    Boardinan,    who   lias  taken  their 
nests  and  eggs  at  that  time.     It  is  also  said  to  breed  in 
Massachusetts. 

71.  Curvirostra  leucoptera,   WILS. — Whitc-winy&l 
Crossbill.     Being  more  northern  in  its  habits  than  the  pro- 
ceding,  it  is  seldom  seen  in  this  section.     Common  dur- 
ing the  winter  of  1868-69.     On  October  21st  it  appeared 
in  great  numbers  at  Albany,  Maine  ;  December  3d  it  was 
found  at   Ipswich,  Massachusetts,  where  it  feeds  upon  the 
seeds  of  the  beach-grass  ;  a  few  days  later  it  was  seen  in 
Newton  in  large  flocks.      It  remained  until  late  in  April. 
Perhaps  breeds.     I  obtained  a  specimen  on  June  13,  1866, 


112  THE  NATURALIST'S  GUIDE. 

shot  on  an  apple-tree  in   Newtonville ;  it  was  filled  with 
canker-worms. 

72.  Flectrophanes    nivalis,    MEYER. — Snow-Bunt- 
ing.    Abundant  winter  visitor,  especially  on  the  sea-shore. 
I  have  seen  thousands  rise  at  the  report  of  my  gun,  on  the 
Ipswich  Sand-hills,  where  it  feeds  upon  the  seeds  of  the 
beach-grass.     This  species,   with    the    preceding  four  and 
P.  Canadensis,  are,  while  with  us,  .al  ways  gregarious.     Ar- 
rives in  November ;  remains  until  April. 

73.  Flectrophanes  Lapponicus,  SELBY.  —  Lapland 
Lonyspur,  Lapland  hunting.     Generally  rare,  but  common 
on   tiie   Ipswich    Sand-hills,   where  it  associates  with  the 
preceding ;    its    note    is  different,  being   more    shrill,  but 
it  has  much  the  same  habits.,    I  have  seen    it   with  the 
Shore  Larks,  but  have  never  met  with  it  alone.      Its  pro- 
portion   to    the    Snow-Bunting    was    about    one   in    every 
hundred. 

74.  Chondestes  grammacus,  SWAIN. — Lark  Finch. 
Exceedingly  rare  or  accidental  in  autumn.     One  taken  in 
Gloucester,  in  1845,  by  S.  Jillson. 

75.  Centronyx  Bairdii,  BAIRD.  —  Bairns  Sparrow. 
It  is  with  pleasure  that  I  add  this  unique  sparrow  to  the 
Catalogue  of  the  Birds  of  Eastern  Massachusetts.     Previous 
to  the  capture  of  this  there  was  but  one  specimen  extant, 
which  was  one  of  the  original  birds  captured  by  Audubon 
upon  the  banks  of  the  Yellowstone  River,  July  26,  1843. 
My   specimen,   through    the   kindness    of   Professor    S.   F. 
Baird,  has  been  compared  with  the  original,  which  is  in  his 
possession,  and  pronounced  identical ;  but  as  mine  differs 
somewhat  from  his,  I  have  thought  best  to  give  a  descrip- 
tion of  it  here.  * 

*  "  It  differs  in  color  just  as  clear  autumnal  birds  differ  from  worn 
breeding  ones,  —  tints  paler,  markings  more  suffused,  etc.  The  stripe 
along  the  top  of  head  is  paler,  not  as  fulvous  as  in  the  type  ;  but  in  all 
essential  points  it  seems  to  be  the  same  bird."  —  Professor  S.  F.  BAIKD, 
in  Epist. 


BIRDS   OF    EASTERN    MASSACHUSETTS.  113 


Centronyx  Bairdii,  BAIRD.  —  Baird's  Sparrow. 

(See  Frontispiece.*) 

Emberiza  Bairdii.          AUD.,  Birds  America,  VII.  1843  ;  PL  500. 
G>turniculus  Bairdii.     BON.,  Syn.  1850,  481. 
Ctntronyx  Bairdii.        BAIKD,  Birds  N.  Am.  1853,  441. 

gp>  CH<  —  Back  grayish ;  the  middle  of  the  feathers  hav- 
ing a  black  centre  edged  with  rufous.  Top  of  head  streaked 
with  dusky  and  pale  rufous,  divided  by  a  broad  stripe  of 
pale  yellowish  white.  There  is  also  a  whitish  superciliary 
stripe  extending  from  the  base  of  the  bill  to  the  back  of 
the  head.  Ear-coverts  grayish,  with  a  rufous  tinge.  Quills 
brownish,  edged  with  white  on  the  outer  web ;  scapularies, 
secondaries,  and  wing-coverts  brownish-black,  edged  broad- 
ly with  rufous,  brightest  on  the  secondaries:  scapulariea 
also  edged  narrowly  with  white ;  the  ends  of  both  rows  of 
wing-coverts  narrowly  tipped  with  white,  forming  two  rather 
indistinct  bars  across  the  wings.  Tail  brownish,  with  the 
tips  of  the  feathers  and  terminal  half  of  the  outer  web  of 
the  outer  tail-feathers  pale  yellowish  white  ;  the  rest  of  the 
tail-feathers  narrowly  edged  with  the  same.  Under  parts, 
incl  ding  under  tail-coverts,  pure  white.  Feathers  of  the 
sides  of  the  throat,  with  a  broad  band  across  the  breast  and 
sides,  streaked  with  rufous,  with  dusky  centres.  The  throat' 
is  indistinctly  spotted  with  dusky.  A  triangular  spot  on 
the  sides  of  the  neck,  below  the  ear-coverts,  pale  buff; 
ears  dusky.  Bill  dark  brown,  with  the  base  of  the  under 
mandible  paler.  Eyes  and  feet  brown. 

Differs  from  Pooecetts  gramineus,  which  in  general  form  it 
resembles,  in  having  a  central  stripe  on  the  head,  and  a 
general  rufous  appearance,  also  in  having  longer  tarsi,  toes, 
and  claws.  With  PaswcHlitf  savanna  it  cannot  justly  bo 
compared,  as  it  is  much  larger,  and  has  a  shorter  and  more 

*  The  convexity  of  the  upper  mandilrie  is  somewhat  exaggerated  in  the 
plate. 


114 


THE  NATURALIST'S   GUIDE. 


•JVBIO  pain 


•MUJQ  PUB  aox  pnjH 


•eoj,  »ippiui  jo  AU 


•ad«o  SUOIB  nig 


'Sa!AVJ°  U^J^^g 


1 


2 


BIRDS    OF    EASTERN    MASSACHUSETTS.  115 

obtuse  bill.  Indeed,  so  nearly  does  it  resemble  the  P. 
gramineus,  that  amateur  ornithologists  to  whom  I  have 
shown  it  have  unhesitatingly  pronounced  it  to  be  that 
species. 

1  give  the  comparative  measurements  of  the  two  speci- 
mens, remarking  that  Professor  Baird's  was  made  from  the 
dried  skin,  while  mine  was  taken  from  the  fresh  bird. 

The  Ipswich  Sand-hills,  where  the  specimen  was  pro- 
cured, is  a  most  peculiar  placj.  1  never  have  met  with  its 
equal  anywhere.  Years  ago  these  Sand-hills,  which  are 
three  miles  long  by  three  fourths  of  a  mile  across,  and  con- 
tain about  one  thousand  acres,  were  covered  with  a  thick 
growth  of  pine-trees.  Protected  by  these  trees,  and  among 
them,  dwelt  a  tribe  of  Indians,  whose  earlier  presence 
is  indicated,  not  only  by  tradition,  but  by  numerous  shell 
heaps  scattered  over  the  Sand-hills  at  irregular  inter- 
vals. Indeed,  even  now  the  ashes  of  camp-fires  may  be 
seen,  apparently  fresh.  Upon  the  advent  of  the  white 
man,  the  usual  event  transpired,  namely,  the  disappearance 
of  the  trees  ;  and  to-day,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  scat- 
tering ones  at  the  southeasterly  corner,  near  the  house 
of  the  proprietor  of  the  Sand-hills,  Mr.  George  Woodbury, 
not  a  tree  is  to  be  seen.  All  is  bleak  and  barren.  The 
surface  of  the  ground,  once  covered  with  a  slight  deposit  of 
soil,  has  become  a  mass  of  shifting  sands.  Many  times  has 
the  present  owner  had  cause  to  regret  the  want  of  tore- 
sight  in  his  ancestors  in  removing  the  trees,  as  the  several 
acres  of  arable  land  around  the  house  are  now  covered 
with  sand,  including  a  valuable  apple-orchard.  Upon  this 
orchard  the  sand  has  drifted  to  the  depth  of  thirty  feet. 
Some  of  the  trees  present  the  curious  phenomenon  of  ap- 
ples growing  upon  limbs  that  protrude  a  few  feet  only 
above  the  sand,  while  the  trunk  and  lower  branches  are 
buried !  The  Sand-hills,  in  places,  are  covered  with  a 
sparse  growth  of  coarse  grass,  upon  the  seeds  of  which, 


116  THE   XAlURALISrS   GUIDE. 

as  I  have  remarked  elsewhere,  thousands  of  Snow-Bunt- 
ings feed.  There  are,  in  some  places,  sinks  or  depressions 
with  the  level  of  the  sea.  In  these  sinks,  which,  except 
during  the  summer  months,  are  filled  with  fresh  water, 
a  more  luxuriant  growth  of  grass  appears.  Walking,  on 
December  4,  1868,  near  one  of  these  places,  in  search  of 
Lapland  Longspurs,  I  started  a  sparrow  from  out  the  tall 
grass,  which  flew  wildly,  and  alighted  again  a  few  rods 
away.  I  approached  the  spot,  surprised  at  seeing  a  spar- 
row at  this  late  d.iy  so  far  north,  especially  in  so  bleak  a 
place.  After  some  trouble  1  again  started  it.  It  flew 
wildly  as  before,  when  I  fired,  and  was  fortunate  enough 
to  secure  it.  It  proved  to  be  Baird's  Sparrow.  When  I 
found  I  had  taken  a  specimen  which  I  had  never  seen  be- 
fore, —  although  at  that  time  I  did  not  know  its  name  or 
the  interest  attached  to  it,  —  I  instantly  went  in  search 
of  more.  After  a  time  I  succeeded  in  starting  another. 
This  one,  however,  rose  too  far  off  for  gunshot,  and 
I  did  not  secure  it.  It  flew  away  to  a  great  distance, 
when  I  lost  sight  of  it.  After  this  I  thought  that 
among  the  myriads  of  Snow-Buntings  that  continually 
rose  a  short  distance  from  me  I  again  detected  it,  but 
I  was  perhaps  mistaken.  I  am  confident  of  having 
seen  it  in  previous  years  at  this  place,  earlier  in  the 
season. 

To  show  the  similarity  of  the, habits  of  these  birds,  even 
in  widely  different  localities,  I  give  below  extracts  from 
Audubon's  account.  '*  During  one  of  our  buffalo  hunts 
(July  26,  1843)  we  happened  to  pass  along  several  wet 
places  closely  overgrown  with  a  kind  of  slender,  rush-like 
grass,  from  which  we  heard  the  notes  of  this  species,  and 
which  we  thought  were  produced  by  Marsh  Wrens  (Troglo- 
dytes palustris).  Messrs.  Harris  and  J.  G.  Bell  immediately 
went  in  search  of  the  birds.  Mr.  Bell  soon  discovered  that 
the  notes  of  Baird's  Bunting  were  softer  and  more  prolonged 


BIRDS    OF   EASTERN    MASSACHUSETTS.  117 

than  those  of  the  Marsh  Wren.  They  had  some  difficulty 
in  starting  them  from  the  long  and  soinewhat  close  grass 
to  which  this  species  seems  to  confine  itself.  Several 
times  Mr.  Bell  nearly  trod  on  them  before  the  birds  would 
take  to  wing ;  and  they  almost  invariably  alighted  again 
within  a  few  feet  and  ran  like  mice  through  the  grass. 

....   After  a  while,  two  were  shot  on  the  wing 

I  have  named  this  species  in  honor  of  my  young  friend, 
Spencer  F.  Baird,  of  Carlisle,  Pennsylvania." 

1  think  it  more  probable  that  the  birds  which  occur  at 
Ipswich  are  winter  visitors  from  the  north,  than  that  they 
are  stragglers  from  so  great  a  distance  as  Nebraska.  As 
might  be  expected,  I  heard  no  song-note  at  this  season,  but 
simply  a  short  chirp  of  alarm. 

76.  Passerculus  savanna,  BON.  —  Savannah   /Spar- 
row.    Common  summer  resident ;  breeds  abundantly  along 
the  coast,  and  sometimes  in  the  interior.     Have  taken  it 
from  April   17th  to  November  12th.     Frequents  the  fields 
and  marshes. 

77.  Focece^es  gramineus,  BAIRD. — Bay-winged  Spar- 
row, "Grass  Fin"h."    Abundant;  breeds  in  the  fields  every- 
where.    Arrives  from  April  5th  to  20th ;  leaves  about  the 
1st  of  November. 

78.  C  Dturniculus  passerinus,  BON. —  Yellow-winged 
Sparrow.     Not    an    uncommon    summer  resident ;    breeds 
regularly.     Arrives  the  first  or  second  week  in  May  ;  leaves 
early  in  September.      Frequents  dry  sandy  places,  or  pas- 
tures grown  up  to  weeds.     Very  numerous  on  Nantucket 
Island,  where  it  breeds  abmidantlv. 

79.  Coturniculus     Henslowii,     BON.  —  Hemlow's 
Sparrow.     Very  rare  summer   resident.     Took  two   males 
in  a  wet  meadow  on  May  10,   1807.     Song-note  like  the 
syllables   "  see'-wick,"  with  the  first   prolongedly  and  the 
second  quickly  given.     Said  to  breed.     Mr.  J.  A.  Allen  in- 
forms me  that  the  specimens  that  he  has  taken  have  been 


118  THE   NATURALIST'S    GUIDE. 

found   in   the   same   situation   as   the   preceding   species, 
namely,  sandy  fields. 

80.  Zonotrichia  leucophrys,  SWAIN.  —  White-crowned 
Sparrow.      Very  rare   migrant.     Took   a   female  on    May 
27,  1869,  in  a  swampy  thicket  by  the  roadside.     I    have 
heard  of  hut  few  instances  of  its  capture  in  this  section. 

81.  Zonotrichia    albicollis,    BON.  —  White-throated 
Sparrow.     Common  during  the   migrations.     Have  taken 
it  from  April  27th  until  May  20th,  and  from  about  Sep- 
tember 1st  to  October   lUta.     Frequents  the  low  bushes 
and  swampy  thickets. 

82.  Amxnodromus    moritimus,   SWAIN.  —  Sea-side 
Finch.     Said  to  occur  commonly  along  the  coast  of  our 
State,  which  statement  I  doubt,  as   I   have  searched  care- 
fully for  it  from  the  mouth  of  the  Merrimack  River  to  the 
extreme  south  shore,  and  have  yet  to  meet  with  a  single 
living  specimen  ;  neither  does  it  occur  on  the   Island  of 
Nantucket  to  my  knowledge.     Dr.  Cones  says  it  is  abun- 
dant in  New  Hampshire  on  the  coast.     It  may  rarely  occur 
on  our  coast  during  the  migrations.     Mr.  Brewster  informs 
me  that  he  has  looked  for  it  in  vain  at  Rye  Beach,  New 
Hampshire. 

83.  Ammodromus   caudacutus,   SWAIN. — Sharp- 
tailed  Finch.     Not  common.     1  know  of  but  one  locality 
where  this  bird  is  to  be  found  ;  that  is,  on  the  salt  marshes 
of  Charles  River.     I  have  taken  it  there  in  the  latter  part 
of  June.      It  is  difficult  to  procure,  as  it  lies  close,  and  has 
to  be  shot  while  on  the  wing.     It  instantly  conceals  itself 
in  the  grass  when  it  alights.     Mr.   Brewster  informs    me 
that  it  breeds  Lite,  —  the  first  week  in  July.     Remains  late. 
"  Have  taken  it  in  the  marshes  of  Charles  River  the  last 
week  in  October.''  *    Since  writing  the  above,  I  have  found 
it  quite  common  on  the  marshes  at  Ipswich  during  the  last 
week  in  September,  1869. 

*  J.  A.  Allen,  "  Proceedings  of  the  Essex  Institute,"  IV.  1864,  p.  84. 


BIRDS   OF   EASTERN   MASSACHUSETTS.  119 

84.  Junco  hyemalis,  SCLATER.  —  Snow-Bird*     Com- 
mon  winter    visitant ;    abundant    in  spring  and  autumn. 
Have  taken  it  from  October  14th  to  May  20th.     Found 
everywhere. 

85.  Spizella    monticola,    BAIRD.  —  Tree    Sparrow, 
Common  winter  visitor ;  more  abundant  in  spring  and  au- 
tumn.    Have  taken  it  from  November  2d  to  April  25th, 
Seen  everywhere,  and  with  the  preceding  frequents  cedar 
woods  in  winter. 

86.  Spizella    SOCialis,    BUN.  —  Chipping    Sparrow. 
Abundant  summer  resident.     Found  breeding  everywhere. 
Arrives  from  April   10th  to  21st;  leaves  about  the  middle 
of  October.     The  most   familiar  and   sociable  of  all  our 
Sparrows,   hopping   about   our   doors,  and   even    entering 
houses  in  search  of  food. 

87.  Spizella   pusilla,  BON.  —  Field  Sparrow.     Com- 
mon summer  resident ;  breeds  on  low  bushes  in  high  sandy 
places,  and  rocky  fields  grown  up  to  bushes.     Arrives  from 
April  14th  to  27th  ;  found  in  flocks  with  the  preceding  in 
autumn,  and  departs  at  the  same  time. 

88.  Melospiza    melodia,   BAIRD. — Song   Sparrow, 
Abundant  summer    resident.     Comes  earlier  and  remains 
later  than  any  of  the   summer  Sparrows.     Arrives  from 
February  20th  to  March  18th  ;  I  have  taken  it  on  the  3d 
of  December.     Mr.  Brewster  informs  me  that  he  has  taken 
it  every  month  in  the  year;  has   even  heard   it  sing  in 
January. 

89.  Melospiza    palustris,    BAIRD.  —  Swamp    Spar- 
row.   Common  summer  resident.    Frequents  bushy  swamps 
and  marshes,  and  breeds  in  them.     Arrives  from  March 
27th  to  April  14th  ;  departs  about  the  middle  of  Novem- 
ber.     It    is   probable  that   Audubon  was  mistaken   when 
he  said  that  this  bird  was  common  in  winter  about  Bos- 
ton.     It   has  a  peculiar,  and   not   particularly    pleasing, 
song  during  the  breeding-season;   but  in  autumn  I  have 


120  THE   NATURALIST'S   (JUIDE. 

heard  it  sing  with  a  low  warbling  note   which  was  very 
pleasant. 

90.  Melospiza  Lincoln*!,  BAIRD.  —  Lincoln's  Sparrow. 
Very  rare.     Mr.  8.  Jillson  has  taken  it  at  Hudson  on  one 
or  two  occasions  in  spring. 

9 1 .  Fasserella  iliaca,  SWAI N.  —  Fox-colored  Sparrow. 
Common  during  the  migrations.     Have  taken  it  in  spring 
from  March  14th  to  April   13th.     While  with  us  at  this 
season   it  has  a  most  pleasing  song.      Passes    us   in  the 
autumn  in  October. 

92.  Passer    domestica,    LEACH.  —  European    House 
Sparrow.     Introduced,  but  common  already  in  localities  ; 
will  soon,  without  doubt,  be  generally  distributed. 

93.  Euspiza  Americana,  BON.  —  Black-throated  Bunt- 
ing.    Very   rare    summer  visitor,    or  straggler,   from    the 
south.     My  young  friend,  John  Thaxtcr,  shot  a  specimen 
June  26,  1867;  it  was  a  female,  and,  as  I  should  judge, 
from  the  peculiar  appearance  of  the  ovaries  and  oviduct, 
had  laid  her  eggs  ;  while  the  bare  and  swollen  appearance 
of  her  breast  seemed  to  indicate  that  she  was  incubating. 
Mr.  Samuels  speaks  of  two  instances  of  its  capture.* 

94.  Guiraca   Ludoviciana,    SWATN.  —  Rose-breasted 
Grosbeak.     Common  summer  resident.     Breeds,  nesting  in 
trees  and  bushes.     Arrives  from  May  8th  to  22d  ;  leaves 
early  in  September.     Frequents  open  woods. 

The  Blue  Grosbeak  (Guiraca  ccerulefi,  Swain.)  perhaps 
rarely  occurs ;  it  has  been  taken  in  Calais,  Maine,  "  where 
it  is  very  uncertain,  but  was  common  in  the  spring  of 
1861."t 

95.  Cyanospiza     cyanea,     BAIRD.  —  Indigo- I!h-<f. 
Common  summer  resident.     Breeds,  nesting  in  low  bushes. 
Arrives  from  May  10th  to  22d  ;  in  autumn  found  in  flocks 

*  "  Ornithology  and  Oology  of  New  Knghnd,"  P  328. 

t  G.  A.  Boardman,  "  Proceedings  of  the  Boston  Society  of  Natural  His- 
tory," IX.  p.  127;  J.  A.  Allen,  "Proceedings  of  the  Kssux  Institute,"  IV. 
1864,  pp.  84,  85. 


BIRDS   OF   EASTERN   MASSACHUSETTS.  121 

with  other  Sparrows.  Frequents  roadsides,  high  sandy 
fields,  and  rocky  pastures. 

The  Cardinal,  "Red-Bird"  (Cardinalis  Virginianus,  Bon.), 
according  to  Nuttull,  occurs  accidentally.  I  have  never 
met  with  it  in  this  section. 

90.  Pipilo  ery.hr ophthalmus,  VIEILL.  —  Towhee 
JjtuttiiKj,  "Ground  Robin,"  "  Che  wink."  Common  sum- 
mer resident.  Breeds  commonly,  nesting  on  the  ground 
among  low  bushes,  which  it  frequents.  Arrives  from  April 
to  May  10th  ;  leaves  by  the  first  week  in  October. 


ALAUDID^E,  —  THE  LARKS. 

97.  Eremophila  alpestris,  FORSTER. — Shore  Lark, 
Common  winter  resident.  Perhaps  a  few  breed.  Seen  by 
Mr.  \V.  Brewfeter,  in  July,  1869.  Arrives  early  in  the  au- 
tumn. Have  seen  it  in  spring  as  late  as  April  25th.  Fre- 
quents the  ploughed  fields,  beaches,  and  marshes.  Has  the 
habit  of  hiding  in  holes  or  beside  stones. 


,  —  THE  ORIOLES,  STARLINGS,  ETC. 

98.  Dolichonyx    oryzivorus,  SWAIN.  —  Bob-o-link, 
"  Rice-Bird,"    "  Reed-Bird."     Abundant   summer   resident. 
Breeds,  nesting  in  the  grass  on  the  ground.     Arrives  from 
April  30th  to  May  1 2th.     During  the  first  of  September 
it  congregates   in  flocks  of   immense   numbers   upon    the 
sea-shore ;   at  this  time  both  sexes  are  in  the  same  plu- 
mage.    It  is  then  shot  for  the    table.     While  migrating, 
it  moves  night  and  day ;  indeed,  almost  any  clear  night 
in  August  its  metallic-like  note  may  be  heard  high  up  in 
the  air. 

99.  Molothrus  pecoris,  SWAIN. —  Cow-Bird,  "  Cow- 

6 


122  THE  NATURALIST'S  GUIDE. 

Bunting/'  Common  summer  resident.  Arrives  from 
April  Gth  to  lUth;  leaves  by  the  last  week  in  October. 
Deposits  its  eggs  in  the  nests  of  other  birds,  —  the  only 
example  of  polygamy  among  undomestieated  birds  in 
North  America.  Gregarious  throughout  the  year,  but 
more  so  in  autumn.  Often  seen  around  cows  in  pursuit 
of  insects,  sometimes  alighting  upon  them ;  from  this 
habit  it  derives  its  popular  (Cow- Bunting)  and  speciiic 
faxcorit)  names. 

100.  Age'eeus  Phoeniceus,    VTIEILL.  —  Red-winged 
Blackbird,  "Swamp  Blackbird."    Common  summer  resident. 
Arrives  from  February  25th  to  March   10th;  leaves  by  the 
last  of  October.     Nests  in  the  marshes,  generally  on  a  tus- 
sock ;  sometimes  in  low  bushes.      I  have  found  the  nests 
on  an  island  in  the  m.irshes  of  Essex  River,  placed  on  trees 
twenty  feet   from   the  ground  !      In  one  case,  where  the 
nest  was  placed   on   a  slender  sapling  fourteen  feet  high, 
that  swayed  with  the  slightest  breeze,  the  nest  was  con- 
structed after  the  manner  of  our  Baltimore  Orioles,  pret- 
tily woven  of  the  bleached  sea-wec^d  called  eel-grass.     So 
well   constructed  was  this  nest,  and  so  much  at  variance 
with  the  usual  style,  that  had  it  not  been   for  the  female 
sitting  on  it,  I  should  have  taken  it  for  a  nest  of  /.  Balti- 
more.    It  was  six  inches  deep. 

101.  Xanthocephalus  ioteroceph-alas,   BAIRD.  - 
Yellow-lieaJed  tila^kbird.      A  single  specimen  was  procured 
by  my  young  friend,    Frank  Sanger,  at  Watertown,  about 
the  15th  of  October,  18G9.     The  wings,  tail,  and  one  foot 
of  this  specimen  are  now   in  my  possession.     Through  the 
kindness  of  Mr.  J.  A.  Allen,  I   have  been  enabled  to  com- 
pare them  with  specimens  of  the  same  species  in  the  Mu- 
seum of  Comparative  Zoology,    thereby  identifying  them. 
This  bird  was  in  immature  plumage,  evidently  the  youiitf- 
of-the-year.      it  was   shot  in  an  orchard.      The  occurrence 
of  this  specimen   in  this   section  is  singular,  MS  its  usual 


BIRDS   OF   EASTERN  MASSACHUSETTS.  .    U3 

habitat  is  in  the  West ;  its  range  eastward  being  about  the 
longitude  of  Chicago. 

102.  Sturnella    magna,    SWAIX.  —  Meadow    Lark, 
"  Marsh  Quail."     Resident ;  common   in   summer,  but  few 
winter  here.     Breeds  in  old  fields.     Gregarious  in  autumn 
and  winter. 

103.  Icterus  Baltimore,  DAUDIN.  — Baltimore  Oriole, 
"  Golden  Robin,"  "  Fire  Hang-Bird."     Very  common  sum- 
mer resident.     Arrives  from  May  5th  to  12th  ;  leaves  about 
the  middle  of  September.     Breeds,  nesting  generally  on*  tall 
trees.     I  have  heard  a  bird  of  this  species  that  lived  among 
the  woods  of  the  islands  in  Essex   River,  where  man  is 
seldom  seen,  sing  with  a  louder,  wilder  note  than  usual, 
as  if  it  was  influenced  by  the  surrounding  wildness   and 
its   proximity  to  the  sounding  sea.     This  is  the  only  bird 
that  I  have    met  with  which  will  readily  devour  the  tent 
caterpillar. 

104.  Icterus  spurius,  BON. —  Orchard  Oriole,   "Spu- 
rious   Oriole."       Generally  a   rare    summer   resident,    but 
quite  common  in  the  spring  of  1865  ;  I  saw  a  few  in  1866. 
Arrives  about  May  18th.     Mr.  Bre'wster  says  that  he  finds 
a  pair  or  two  breeding  every  season. 

105.  Scolecophagus  ferrugineus,  SWAIN.  —  Rusty 
Grakle,  "  Rusty  Blackbird."     Common  spring  and  autumn 
migrant.      Arrives  from  March  8th  to  30th,  remains  into 
April  ;  arrives  from  the  North  the  last  week  in  Septem- 
ber, remaining  into  November.    Very  unsuspicious,  and  fre- 
quents the  bushes  by  the  side  of  water.     Generally  seen  in 
small  flocks,  sometimes   in   company   with  the  succeeding 
species. 

106.  Qulscalus  versicolor,  VIEILL.  —  Purple  Gralde, 
"  Crow    Blackbird/'     Common  summer    resident.      Arrives 
from  March  1st  to  2()th  ;   remains  into  November.      Breeds 
in  communities,  generally  nesting  in  tall  trees  ;  but  1  have 
found  its  nest,  on  the  islands  in  the  Essex   River,  on  bushes 


1^4  THE   NATURALIST'S   GUIDE. 

six    feet    high.      Other   nests    on    the    same   islands  weru 
placed  in  trees,  from  twenty  to  forty  feet  trom  the  ground. 


CORVID.E,—  THE  CROWS. 

107.  Cyanura  cristata,  SWAIN.  —  Blue  Jay.     Com- 
mon resident.     Nests    in  trees.       Is  a  general   nuisance  ; 
destroys    the  young  and  eggs  of  small   birds;    visits  the 
cornfields  of  the  farmer  in  autumn,  and  carries  away  great 
quantities  of  corn.     Gregarious  throughout   the  your,  ex- 
cept during  the  breeding-season. 

108.  Corvus  Americanus,  AUD. — Croiv.     Common 
resident.     Nests    in    trees.     Appears  on  the   sea-shore   in 
great  numbers  during  the  early  winter,  and  continues  until 
spring,  feeding  upon  the   refuse  left  by  the  tide  upon  the 
marshes.     These  winter  visitors  are  said  to  be  "  Eastern 
Crows/'  or  crows  from  Maine  and  the  British  Provinces. 


TYRANNID.E,—  THE  TYRANT  FLYCATCHER. 

109.  Tyrannus  Carolinensis,  BAIRD.  —King-Bird, 
"Bee  Martin." — Common  summer  resident.      Breeds,  nest- 
ing on  trees,  generally  in  an  orchard.     Arrives  from  May 
6th  to  15th  ;  leaves  about  the  middle  of  September.     Fre- 
quents open  fields  and  orchards. 

110.  Tyrannus  Dominicensis,    RICH.  —  Gray  Kin</- 
Bird.     An  immature  specimen  was  taken  by  Mr.  Charles 
Goodall,    at    Lynn,   on    October    23,    18G8.     The    bird    is 
now  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  N.  Vickery.    It  was  shot  upon 
a  tree  near  the  roadside.     The  occurrence  of  this  specimen 
is  a  striking  illustration  of  the  straggling  habits  of  some  in- 
dividuals among  birds,  its  usual  habitat  being  Florida  and 
the  West  Indies. 


BIRDS   OF  EASTERN   MASSACHUSETTS.  125 

111.  Myiarchus  crinitUS,  CAB.  —  Great  Crested  Fit/- 
catcher.    Very  rare  summer  resident.     Have  taken  it  on 
May  9th  and  15th.     Said  to  breed.     Frequents  the  open 
woods. 

112.  Sayornis  ftlSCUS,  BAIRD. — Phoebe,  Pewee.    Com- 
mon summer  resident.     Arrives  from  March  25th  to  April 
12th.     Have  taken  it  as  late  as  October  9th.     Nests  in 
barns,  under  bridges,  and  under  some  projecting  rock  of  a 
ledge ;  in  the  spring  it  may  be  found  in  the  neighborhood 
of  these  localities,   but   it  occurs  everywhere  in   autumn. 
Although  a  strictly  insectivorous  bird,  yet,  when  compelled 
by  hunger,  it  can  be  granivorous ;  during  a  violent  snow- 
storm, April  2,  1858,  I  shot  one  whose  stomach  was  com- 
pletely filled  with  the  seeds  of  the  berries  of  the  hawthorn 
( Cratceg  >/s  oxycantha ). 

113.  Contopus   borealis,   BAIRD.  —  Olive-sided  Fly- 
catcher.   Not  a  very  rare  summer  resident.    Breeds.    "  Nests 
generally  in   the  fork  of  a  pine-tree;  the  only  nest  that  I 
ever  found  that  was  not  placed  in  this  situation  was  on  the 
outer  limb  of  an  apple-tree."  *     Frequents  the  open  wood. 
Arrives   from    May    12th   to   24th;  leaves   early   in    Sep- 
tember. 

1 1 4.  Contopus  virens,   CAB.  —  Wood  Pewee.     Com- 
mon summer  resident.     Arrives  from  May  19th  to  28th; 
leaver  early  in  September.      Breeds.     The  nest  is  composed 
of  moss,  and  is  placed  on  the  top  of  some  high  limb,  and 
reseinbbs  a   protuberance    upon  it ;   for  this  reason  it  is 
not  easily  detected.      Frequents  open  woods. 

If  tho  Acadian  Flycatcher  (Empidonax  Acadicns,  Baird) 
is  found  in  eastern  Massachusetts,  I  have  yet  to  meet  with 
it.  1  think  that  this  and  the  following  are  often  confounded 
by  collectors,  perhaps  with  good  reason. 

1 1 5.  Empidonax   Traillii,    BAIRD.  —  TrailCs    Fly- 
catcher,    lutro  in  spring ;   said  to  breed,  however.     I  have 

*  MS.  Notes  of  W.  Brewster. 


126  THE   NATURALIST'S   GUIDE. 

met  with  it  but  once,  —  on  June   1,  1869,  in  a  swampy 
thicket ;  it  was  very  shy.     I  heard  no  note. 

110.  Empidonax  minimus,  BAIRD.  —  Least  Fit/- 
catJier.  Common  summer  resident.  Breeds.  Arrives  from 
April  22d  to  May  5th  ;  leaves  about  the  middle  of  Septem- 
ber. Seen  everywhere.  Specimens  differ  in  the  intensity 
of  the  olivaceous  green  upon  the  back  ;  those  which  are 
found  in  the  woods  are  much  darker  than  those  which  in- 
habit the  orchards  or  straggling  trees,  these  being  often 
quite  gray.  They  are  also  exceedingly  variable  in  size. 

117.  Empidonax  flaviventris,  BAIRD. — Ydlow-hd- 
lied  FljMtJttr.  On  May  31,  1869,  I  shot  the  first  speci- 
men I  had  ever  seen  living;  the  next  day  (June  1st)  I 
took  eight  of  both  sexes  in  a  few  hours !  Between  this 
time  and  the  10th  I  took  two  or  three  more.  I  do  not 
doubt  that  it  has  occurred  in  previous  seasons,  but,  being 
unaccustomed  to  its  low  note,  —  which  is  like  the  syl- 
lable Pea  very  plaintively  and  prolongedly  given,  —  and 
its  retiring  habits,  I  had  not  detected  it  before.  The 
specimens  captured  were  all,  with  the  exception  of  the 
first,  —  which  was  shot  on  a  tall  oak,  —  taken  in  low, 
swampy  thickets.  It  keeps  near  the  ground,  is  rather  shy, 
and  upon  the  appearance  of  the  'intruder  instantly  ceases 
its  song.  "Shot  a  specimen  on  May  25,  1869,  in  Water- 
town,  singing,  with  its  peculiar  note,  in  an  apple-tree.  I 
have  shot  the  female  singing  in  the  same  manner,  in  Au- 
gust, 1867,  in  Franconia,  New  Hampshire.  The  only  note 
I  ever  heard  was  the  low  Pea"  * 

I  have  yet  to  hear  the  "pleasing  song"  attributed  to 
this  species  and  other  members  of  the  genus.  I  think 
that  the  anatomical  structure  of  the  throat  and  larynx  is 
not  of  the  complicated  character  seen  in  singing-birds ;  and 
therefore  consider  it  a  physical  impossibility  for  members 
of  this  genus  to  produce  a  variety  of  melodious  notes. 
*  MS.  Notes  of  W.  Brewstcr. 


BIRDS    OK    KAbTKILN    MASSACHUSETTS.  127 

ALCEDINID^E,  —  THE  KINGFISHERS. 

118.  Ceryle  alcyon,  BOIE. — Belted  Kingfisher.  Com- 
mon summer  resident.  Breeds.  Frequents  the  neighbor- 
hood of  streams  and  ponds.  Arrives  from  March  21st  to 
April  llth:  remains  into  November;  but  I  never  have 
seen  it  in  winter,  at  which  time  it  may  rarely  occur. 


CAPRIMULGID.E,  —  THE  GOATSUCKERS. 

111).  Antrostomus  vociferus,  BOIE. — Wlnppoor- 
will.  Common  in  the  wild  districts,  where  its  rapid  but  in- 
describably mournful  notes  may  be  heard  in  the  evening 
twilight.  It  also  sings  in  the  early  dawn.  Arrives  from 
May  19th  to  24th.  Breeds,  nesting  on  the  ground. 

120.  Chordeiles  popetue,  BAIRD.  —  Niyht-Hawk. 
"  Bull  Bat."  Common  summer  resident.  Breeds,  nest- 
ing on  the  ground.  Arrives  from  April  7th  to  May  23d. 
Much  more  diurnal  in  its  habits  than  the  preceding,  often 
seen  flying  about  at  midday.  By  the  latter  part  of  August 
it  migrates  in  large,  straggling  flocks,  moving  day  and 
night.  While  at  rest  in  the  daytime,  it  usually  sits  lon- 
gitudinally upon  a  large  limb  of  a  tree ;  the  peculiar  struct- 
ure of  its  feet  rendering  it  impossible  for  it  to  clasp  the 
limb  and  sit  transversely,  as  is  usual  with  other  birds. 


THE  SWIFTS. 


121.  Chaetura  pelasgia,  STEPH.  —  Chimney  Svrift, 
11  Chimney  Swallow."  Abundant  summer  resident.  Breeds, 
nesting  in  unused  flues  in  chimneys.  Arrives  from  May 
1st  to  llth  :  have  seen  it  as  late  as  September  14th. 


128  THE   NATURALISTS   GUIDE. 


TROCHILID^E,  —  THE  HUMMING-BIRDS. 

122.  Trochilus     colubris,     LINN. —  Ruby-throated 
Humming -Bird.    Common  summer  resident.    Breeds,  nest- 
ing in  trees.     Arrives  about  the    second  week  in   May  ; 
have  seen  it  as  late  as  the  23d  of  September. 

123.  Argytira   maculata,   CAB.   and  HEINE.  —  Lin- 
nceus's  Emerald.     A  single  specimen  of  this  beautiful  little 
bird  was  captured  by  Mr.  William  Brewster,  at  Cambridge, 
in  August,   1864 ;  it  was   moulting,  and  apparently  a  fe- 
male.     How  this  little  stranger  should  have  come  so  far 
from  its  usual  habitat,  which  is  northern  South  America, 
is  a  mystery,  and  an  event  unheard  of  before.     It  certainly 
could  not  have  been  caged,   and  in  that  manner  brought 
here,  as  it  would  not  survive  the  passage. 

I  have  carefully  examined  into  the  history  of  this  speci- 
men, and  there  seems  no  reason  to  doubt  its  being  captured 
in  Cambridge. 


CUCULTD^E,  —  THE  CUCKOOS. 

124.  Coccygus  Americanus,   BON.  —  Yellow-billed 
Cuckoo.     Irregular  in  its  visits  ;  during  the  summer  of  1866 
it  was    very  numerous,   while    the    following   species   was 
rare ;    since  then  this  has  been  rare,    while  the  other  is 
common.     Arrives  from  May  18th  to  23d.     Frequents  the 
woods  and  ore- hards. 

125.  Coccygus  erythrophthalmus,  BON. — Black- 
billed  Cuckoo.     Rather  common.     (See  remarks  under  C. 
Americanus.)     Frequents   the  woods   and   orchards.     The 
note  of  this  species  is  not  perhaps  as  harsh  as  the  other. 
They  are  both  inveterate  destroyers  of  birds'  eggs.     They 
frequently  sing  at  night.     Both  depart  early  in  September. 


BIRDS  OF  EASTERN  MASSACHUSETTS. 


PICID^E,  —  THE  WOODPECKERS. 

126.  Picus  villosus,  LINN.  — Hairy  Woodpecker.  Resi- 
dent ;  but  not  common  in  winter,  and  rare  in  summer.     I 
am  confident  that  the  specimens  of  this  and  the  follow- 
ing species  seen  in  winter  do  not  come  from  the  far  north, 
or  even  from  northern  Maine  and  New  Hampshire,  for  this 
reason  :  specimens  shot  in  the   sections  above  mentioned 
have  the  white  terminal  portion  of  the  tail  stained  by  the 
bark  of  the  hemlock  and  other  evergreen  trees,  upon  which 
they  climb  in  search    of  food,    with    an    indelible,   bright 
rufous  or  ochre  color;  this  color  is  never  seen  on  speci- 
mens taken  here,  even  during  severe  winters.     They  must 
be  resident  individually  by  this  infallible  proof. 

127.  Picus  pubescens,  LINN.  —  Doivny  Woodpecker. 
Resident.     Abundant  throughout  the  winter,  not   uncom- 
mon in  summer. 

1 28.  Picoides  arctiCUS,  GRAY.  —  Black-backed  Three- 
toed  Woodpecker.      Exceedingly  rare  winter  visitor.     There 
are  a  male  and  female  in   the  museum  of  the    Peabody 
Academy  of  Science,  at   Salem,  taken  on   November  21, 
1855,  in  Essex  County,  by  S.  Jillson. 

129.  Picoides   hirsutus,  GRAY.  —  Banded  Three-toed 
Woodpecker.     Exceedingly  rore  winter  visitor.     Mr.  Allen 
informs  me  that.  Mr.  (J.  O.  Welch  took  a  pair  in  Lynn. 

1 30.  Sphy  rapicus    varius,    BAIRD.  —  Yellow-bellied 
Woodpecker.      Not  common   during    the    migrations.      Fre- 
quents open  woorV      I  do  not  think  it  breeds. 

131.  Melanerpes  erythrocephalus,  SWAIN.  —  Red- 
headed Woodpecker.     Exceedingly  rare  summer  visitor,  per- 
haps accidental.      1  have    never    seen    it  living.     A  male 
taken  by  S.  Jillson,  in  Essex  County,  in   1855.     One  seen 
by  Mr.  W.  Brewster,  iu  summer,  at  Waltham. 

132.  Colaptes  auratUS,  SWAIN.  —  Golden-winged  Wood- 

6* 


130  THE   NATURALIST'S    GUIDE. 

pecker,  "Pigeon  Woodpecker,"  "Yellow-Hammer,"  "Wood- 
wall,"  "Flicker,"  "Sucker,"  "High-holder,"  "Wake-up." 
Common  resident.  Breeds,  nesting  in  holes  in  trees.  Ar- 
rives early,  about  the  1st  of  April  ;  remains  until  October 
30th.  A  few  remain  all  winter  in  the  thick  cedar  woods. 
Frequents  open  woods  and  Orchards  ;  in  autumn  is  seen  in 
cornfields,  at  which  season  it  is  partly  gregarious,  but  it  is 
always  a  sociable  bird,  preferring  the  company  of  its  spe- 
cies to  solitude.  Generally  feeds  upon  ants  or  their  larvae 
and  eggs. 

STRIG1IXE,  —  THE  OWLS. 

133.  Strix  pratincola,  BON.  —  Barn  Owl.     Mr.  Vick- 
ery  informs    me    that   ho    mounted  a  specimen    that  was 
taken  in  Lynn  during  the  autumn  of  1865.     This  is  the 
first  authentic  instance  of  its  capture  in  this  section.     Mr. 
Allen  also  informs  me  that  it  has  been  taken  at  Spring- 
field. 

1 34.  Otus  Wilsonianus,  AUD.  —  Lonf/-eared  Oivl    Ra- 
ther common  resident  in  this  section.     Breeds.     Frequents 
dark   swamps  and  thick   evergreen  woods.     This  and  the 
following  species  are  almost  entirely  destitute  of  sight  dur- 
ing the  brighter  light  of  day. 

135.  BrachyotUS  Cassinii,  UKEW. — Short-eared  Owl. 
Common  resident.     Breeds.      Frequents  low  bushes  along 
the  sea-shore  in  the  daytime  ;  starts  up  suddenly  when  ap- 
proached, flies  a  short  distance  in  a  dazed,  irregular  man- 
ner, and  then  alights.     Also  frequents  cedar  woods.     More 
common  on  the  sea-shore  than  in  the  interior. 

136.  Syrnium  cinereum,    Aim.  —  Great  Gray  Owl. 
Rare  winter  visitor.     Two  specimens  in  the  museum   of 
the  Peabody  Academy  of  Science,  —  one  taken  during  the 
winter  of  1866-67,  by  F.  W.  Putnam,  in  Salem  ;  another, 
by  James  Bartlett,  in  Wenham,  in  February,  1859. 


BIRDS   OF    EASTERN   MASSACHUSETTS.  131 

137.  Syrnium    nebulosum,    GRAY.  —  Barred    Owl. 
Common    resident.      Frequents     the    thick    woods    every- 
where.    May  be   approached   closely  on   a  bright  day,  as 
it  is  then  almost  deprived  of  sight. 

138.  Bubo  Virginianus,  BON.  —  Great  Horned  Owl 
Rather    common    resident.      Frequents    the    thick    woods. 
•Sees  well  in  the  daylight,  and  is  difficult  to  approach. 

139.  Scops  asio,  Mottled  Owl,  "Red  Owl,"  "Screech 
Owl."     Common  resident ;  nests  in  holes  in  trees.      Very 
variable   in  plumage,   on  which  account   many  have  sup- 
posed there  were  two  species.     Mr.   W.   Brewster  records 
in  the  August  number  of  the  American  Naturalist,  1869, 
an  instance  of  the  young  of  a  red  mother  being  red  and 
gray;  the  red  one  heinf/  quite  rufous,  even  when  in  the  down, 
and  perceptibly  different  from  the  other.    My  young  friend, 
Frank  Sanger,  has  also  two  young,  both  from   the   same 
nest,  one  of  which  is  red  and  the  other  gray  ;  there  was  no 
difference  in  plumage,  however,  when  they  ivere  both  in  the 
down.    Out  of  eight  young  which  have  fallen  into  my  hands, 
not  one  has  been  red.    1  have  also  a  specimen  in  my  posses- 
sion, which  I  shot  at  Jullington,  on  the  St.  John's  River  in 
Florida,  which  exactly  divides  these  stages,  or  possesses  both 
colors  so  nicely  blended  and  mixed  that  it  is  impossible  to 
decide  which  predominates.     These  cases  alone  prove  that 
we  must  look  for  other  characters  on  which  to  base  our 
specific  claims  than   merely  the  red  and    gray  stages   of 
plumage.     Throwing  aside   the   claims  that  the  red  and 
gray   stages    present    as   separate    specific    distinctions,   is 
there  any  rule    that  we   can  fix  for   this  change    of  plu- 
mage ]    I  think  not ;  further  than  the  supposition  —  which 
I  have  not  yet  seen  proven  —  that  perfectly  mature  birds 
may  all  agree    in    color.     But  while  under  one  year  old 
the  gray  seems  to  be  the  normal  stage,  and  the  red  the 
unusual    stage.      Out    of  twenty   young-of-the-year   speci- 
mens of  this  species  that  have  come  under  my  personal 


132  THE   NATURALISTS   GUIDE- 

observation,  I  have  seen  but  three  in  the  red  plumage. 
On  the  other  hand,  among  more  mature  birds,  I  have, 
out  of  perhaps  forty  specimens  personally  examined,  found 
but  four  or  Jive  in  the  gray!  Mr.  Allen  informs  me  that 
although  such  formerly  was  his  experience,  latterly  he  has 
met  with  many  more  gray  than  red  birds.  By  these  evi- 
dences I  have  become  fully  convinced  that  in  the  earlier 
stages  —  perhaps  to  the  third  year  —  the  coloration  of 
the  plumage  of  Scops  asio  is  exceedingly  variable  as  a 
species  and  somewhat  individually,  but  in  this  last  re- 
spect it  is  more  constant.  The  only  doubt  that  now  re- 
mains is,  Do  birds  of  a  certain  age  or  period  all  assume 
some  particular  plumage  as  a  final  one  1  I  am  now  inclined 
to  think  they  do.  Perhaps  the  final  stage  is  graj ;  but 
this,  as  I  said  before,  yet  remains  to  be  proven.  It  seems 
to  be  an  imperative  law  of  nature  for  birds,  —  no  matter 
how  variable  and  inconstant  their  plumages  in  earlier 
stages  may  have  been,  —  at  some  age  or  period  to  as- 
sume a  final  one,  with  the  specific  characters  variable  in 
a  comparatively  small  degree,  as  heretofore  pointed  out. 

This  inconstancy  of  plumage  is  also  illustrated  in  the 
young  of  the  Cedar-Bird  (Ampelis  cedrorum);  mature  speci- 
mens of  this  species  always  have  the  peculiar,  sealing-wax- 
like,  horny  expansions  of  the  shaft  of  the  feathers  on  the 
tips  of  the  secondaries,  and  sometimes  on  the  tips  of  the 
tail-feathers.  In  the  younger  stages  many  are  destitute 
of  them.  I  have,  however,  detected  it  upon  the  second- 
aries, and  even  upon  the  tails,  of  birds  in  the  nesting  plu- 
mage. 

With  these  facts  to  guide  us,  we  can  but  adopt  the 
above  hypothesis  relative  to  the  final  assumption  of  some 
particular  plumage  by  Scops  asio,  until  it  has  been  proven 
that  this  is  an  exception  to  the  governing  and  heretofore 
unchanging  law  of  nature. 

This  bird  sees  as  well  in  the  daytime  as  in  the  night 


BIRDS  OF   EASTERN   MASSACHUSETTS.  133 

It  is  easily  tamed,  and  may  be  allowed  to  go  and  come 
at  will,  without  fear  of  its  taking  its  departure.  I  have 
one  in  my  possession  that  returns  to  rest  in  the  daytime, 
either  in  a  building  or  on  the  trees  near  it,  where  I  feed 
him  daily. 

140.  Nyctale  Acadica,  BON. — Acadian  Owl.     Rare 
resident;  perhaps  less  so  in  winter.     In  September,  1867, 
while  encamped  for  the  night  upon  the  banks  of  Popalatic 
Pond,   in   Medway,    Massachusetts,   I    heard   the    peculiar 
rasping  notes  of  this  species.     There  were  several.     Evi- 
dently attracted  by  the  light  of  our  camp-fire,  they  came 
directly  overhead,  alighting  on  the  tall  poplar-trees;  but  as 
they  remained  in  the  impenetrable  gloom  that  always  sur- 
rounds one  who  is  by  a  fire,  especially  in  the  woods  in  the 
open  air  at  night,  we  were  unable  to  secure  a  specimen. 

141.  Nyctale    Richards onii,    BON. —  Richardson's 
Owl.     Very  rare.      Mr.  William  Brewster  has  a  fine  speci- 
men in  his  cabinet,  taken  at  Mount  Auburn,  in  December, 
1865.     "A  specimen  in  the  Museum  of  Comparative  Zo- 
ology, Cambridge,  taken  at  Maiden."  * 

142.  Nyctea   nivea,  GRAY.  —  Snowy  Owl.     Not  un- 
common on  the  coast  ;  rare  in  the  interior  during  winter. 
Sees  very  well  in  the  daytime  ;  is  shy,  and  difficult  to  ap- 
proach. 

143.  Surnia    ulula,   BON. — Hawk   Owl.     Very   rare 
winter  visitor.     I  have  seen  it  but  once. 


FALCONID.E, — THE  EAGLES,  FALCONS,  AND  HAWKS. 

144.  Aquila  Canadensis,  CASS. — Golden  Eagle. 
"  Ring-tailed  Eagle."  Perhaps  rarely  occurs  as  a  transient 
visitor.  A  specimen  in  the  museum  of  the  Peabody  Acad- 
emy of  Science,  at  Salem,  labelled  "  Essex  Co."  Mr.  Allen 

*  J.  A.  Allen,  "  Proceedings  of  the  Essex  Institute,"  IV.  1864,  p.  62. 


134  THE   NATURALIST'S   GUIDE. 

says  it  has  been  taken  at  "Lexington,  near  Boston,  and 
at  Upton,  in  1849."  No  record  of  its  very  recent  cap- 
ture, however,  in  this  section.  I  have  never  met  with  it. 

145.  Haliaetus    leucocephalus,    SAVIG.  —  W kite- 
headed  Eagle,    "  Bald    Eagle."      Not    uncommon   on   the 
sea-shore.     I  do  not  think  it  breeds  now,  but  it  did  twenty- 
five  or  thirty  years  ago. 

1 46.  Fandion  Carolinensis,  BON.  —  Fish-Hawk.   Not 
a  common  summer  resident,  growing  less  so   every  year. 
Perhaps  t\  few  breed  in  the  interior,  but  it  is  doubtful. 

147.  FalCQ  anatum,  Box. — American  Penguin  Fal- 
con, "  Duck  Hawk,"  "  Great-footed  Hawk."     Rare  visitor. 
I  do  not  think  it  breeds  ;  no  instance  on  record   of  its 
doing  so  in  this  section.     This  species  seems  to  prefer  tho 
more  mountainous  regions,  especially  during  the  breeding- 
season. 

148.  Falco    sacer,     FORSTER. — Jerfalcon,     "White 
Hawk."     Very  rare  during  winter,  perhaps  accidental.      1 
have  seen  this  species  but  once,  —  November  4,  1868,— 
flying   high   above   the   snow-topped    mountains   of    New 
Hampshire,  steering  northward  over  the  unbroken  forests, 

—  even  thus  early  in  the  season  covered  with  snow,  and 
almost  a  solitude,  —  deserted  by  nearly  all  of  the  feathered 
tribe. 

149.  FaICO  COlumbariuS,   GM.  —  Pigeon  Hawk.    Not 
an  uncommon  resident.     I  think  it  breeds,  as   I   have  a 
specimen  taken  during  the  breeding-season,  with  all  the 
evidences  of  its  incubating.    Perhaps  more  uncommon  dur- 
ing winter. 

150.  Falco  sparverius,  LINN.  — Sparrow  Hawk.    Not 
a  very  common  resident.      Breeds. 

151.  AstUT     atricapillus,    BON.  —  Goshawk,    "Part- 
ridge Hawk,"  "  Blue  Hawk."     Not  uncommon  in  winter. 
Some  few  undoubtedly  breed.     A  pair  remained  in   Wcs- 
ton,  near  a  heavily  wooded  district,  during  the  brooding- 


bIRDS   OF   EASTERN   MASSACHUSETTS.  135 

season  (1868);  they  evidently  had  a  nest  in  the  immedi- 
ate vicinity.  I  have  seen  specimens  taken  in  Massachu- 
setts in  full  plumage  quite  frequently. 

152.  Accipiter  Cooperii,  BON.  —  Cooper's  Hawk.    One 
of  the  most  common  Hawks,  called  everywhere  "Chicken 
Hawk."     Summer  resident.     1   do  not  think  any  remain 
during  winter.     Breeds,  nesting  in  trees. 

153.  Accipiter  fuscus,  BON.  —  Sharp-shinned  Hawk, 
"  Pigeon  Hawk."     Common  summer  resident.     Breeds. 

154.  Euteo   borealis,    VIEILL.  —  Red-tailed   Buzzard, 
11  Red-tailed  Hawk."    Common  resident  ;  exceedingly  trouble- 
some to  farmers.      This  and  B.  lineatu*  are  the  well-known 
and  formidable  "  Hen-  Hawks."     Nests  in  tall  trees.  ; 

155.  Buteo  lineatUS,  JAR.  —  Red-shouldered  Buzzard, 
11  Red-shouldered    Hawk,"    "  Hen    Hawk."     Common   resi- 
dent ;  usually  more  abundant  in  this  immediate  locality  in 
winter  than  during  any  other  season.     Breeds,  nesting  ifi 
tall  trees,  generally  in  swampy  places. 

The  following  is  a  description  of  a  Hawk  of  this  species 
which  is  remarkably  light-colored.  This  specimen  is  so 
different  from  others  of  the  same  species  that  it  was  at 
first  supposed  to  be  the  Buteo  Cooperii,  Cass.,  and  was  men- 
tioned as  such  by  Mr.  J.  A.  Allen.*  This  specimen  is  also 
milch  larger  than  the  average,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  table 
of  measurements,  and  was  evidently  an  immature  bird, 
which  corroborates  the  rule  given  in  the  Introduction  (p. 
84)  relative  to  birds  decreasing  in  size  with  age.  | 

Des(  ription  of  a  light-colored  specimen  of  B.  lineatus.'f 

Bill  not  very  large,  slightly  lobed  on  the  upper  nianj- 
dible  ;  color,  dark  brown.  Upper  parts  dark  brown,  with 
each  feather  spotted  and  barred  irregularly  with  white  an$ 
pale  rufous,  the  latter  colors  predominating  on  the  head 


i  \T!itur:ili«t,"  Til.  p.  519. 
f  Taken  from  a  mounted  specimen 


136 


THK   NATURALIST'S   GUIDK. 


and  rump.  Quills  also  dark  brown,  irregularly  barred,  and 
edged  with  rufous  Tail,  on  the  upper  parts,  brown,  lighter 
beneath,  tipped  with  dirty  white,  and  with  about  twelve  ir- 
regular transverse  bars  of  pale  rufous,  white  at  base  above 
and  below.  Under  parts  generally,  with  the  exception  of 
the  under  wing-coverts,  —  which  are  rufous  —  and  the  tips 
of  the  quills —  which  are  dark  brown,  —  pale  buff,  becom- 
-ing  almost  white  on  the  under  tail-coverts,  with  a  few 
scattering  sagittate  and  cordate  spots  of  reddish  brown  on 
the  breast  and  sides.  Stripes  running  from  the  gape  down 
the  side  of  the  neck,  and  a  narrow  one  on  the  chin  and 
upper  part  of  the  throat  brown.  There  is  a  pale  buff 
superciliary  stripe.  Lores  dusky  mixed  with  white  ;  tilme 
tpale  rufous,  unspotted;  tarsi  long  and  slender,  entirely 
naked  behind,  feathered  down  about  an  inch  in  front. 
•There  are  thirteen  transverse  scales  in  front,  and  sixteen 
'behind.  The  scales  end  abruptly  in  front  and  behind,  on 
the  lower  part  of  the  tarsi,  also  on  the  upper  part  in  front ; 
'but  behind  they  run  greatly  into  smaller  quinquangular 
Scales ;  feet  not  very  strong ;  claws  much  curved,  and 
proportionate  to  the  size  of  the  feet. 

Measurement  of  B.  lineatus 


k 

J 

!  Y  I 

£ 

•« 

5 

1      6       S 

«            T3             = 

Locality. 

Date. 

! 

1 

t 
* 

* 

1 

J 

1       I      1 

•        H        U 
111 

.3 

02 

H 

I 

H 

- 

s      s      5 

1865. 

i 

Cambridge 

Nov.  17 

22.00 

_ 

14.76 

950 

0.90 

2.75 

1.90 

0.75    2.10    0.95 

The  specimen  was  shot  among  a  thick  growth  of  small 
pines,  beeches,  etc.,  in  a  swampy  place. 


BIRDS   OF   EASTERN  MASSACHUSETTS.  137 

156.  Buteo   Pennsylvanicus,  BON.  —  Broad-winged 
Buzzard,  "  Broad-winged  Hawk,"  "  Hen-Hawk."     Not  very 
common.     I  have  never  seen  it  in  winter.     Perhaps  breeds. 

157.  Archibuteo     lagopus,    GRAY.  —  Rougli-legged 
Hawk,    Rare  winter  visitor.     Rather  sluggish  in  its  habits. 

158.  Archibuteo  Sancti  Johannis,  GRAY.  —  Black 
Hawk.     A  magnificent  specimen  of  this  handsome  Hawk 
was  sent  to  me  by   Mr.   J.   F.    Le  Baron,   of  Ipswich;  it 
was   killed  while  flying   over  the    marshes.     This  is   the 
only  instance  that  1  can  record  of  its  capture  in  this  sec- 
tion. 

159.  Circus   Hudsonicus,    VIEILL. — Marsh   Hawk. 
Common  summer  resident.     Breeds,  nesting  on  the  ground. 

100.  Cathartes  aura,  ILLIG.  —  Turkey  Vulture,  "Tur- 
key Buzzard."  Accidental.  "  Two  specimens  shot  in  the 
State  in  1803."  A  gentleman  who  is  perfectly  familiar 
with  the  appearance  of  this  bird  informs  me  that  he  saw  .a 
specimen  flying  over  the  meadows  at  Waltham  in  August, 
1807. 

161.  Cathartes  atratus,  LES. — Black  Vulture,  "Black- 
headed  Buzzard."  Accidental.  "One  was  obtained  at 
Swampscott,  in  November,  1850.  Another  was  taken 
the  past  season  (September  28),  at  Gloucester,  by  Mr. 
William  Huntsford."  * 


COLUMBID/E,  —  THE  PIGEONS. 

162.  Ectopistes  migratorius,  SWAIN.  —  Wild  Pigeon. 
Still  common  in  localities,  but  growing  less  so  every  year. 
Generally  seen  in  autumn  ;  but  a  few  winter. 

163.  Zenaedura  Carolinensis,  BON.  —  Dove,  "Tur- 
tle   Dove,"   "Carolina   Dove."      Not  uncommon.     Breeds 
commonly  at  Cape  Cod,  early  in  the  season. 

*  J.  A.  Allen,  "  Proceedings  of  the  Essex  Institute,"  IV.  1864,  p.  81. 


138  THE   NATURALISTS   GUIDE. 


TETRAONID^,  —  THE  GROUSE. 

164.  Tetrao  Canadensis,  LINN.  — Spruce  PartriJfje. 
Accidental.  "  Found  in  the  hemlock  woods  of  Gloucester, 
in  September,  1851."* 

105.  Bonasa  umbellus,  STEPH.  —  Ruffed  Grouxe, 
"  Partridge."  Common  in  the  wilder  sections ;  but  from 
the  persecutions  of  sportsmen  rapidly  becoming  extinct. 
In  localities  where  ten  or  fifteen  years  ago  they  were  abun- 
dant not  one  can  be  found  to-day.  Nests  on  the  ground 
in  moist  woods. 

166.  Cupidonia  cupido,  BAIRD. — Pinnated  Grouse, 
"  Prairie  Hen."  Said  once  to  have  been  common  in  Massa- 
chusetts, but  now  has  become  extinct  on  the  main-land  ; 
etill  may  be  found  in  small  numbers  on  the  islands  of 
Martha's  Vineyard  and  Naushon. 


PERDICID.E,  —  THE  PARTRIDGES. 

167.  Ortyx  virginiana,  BON. — Quail.  Resident;  com- 
mon in  localities,  but  rapidly  becoming  extinct.  Breeds, 
nesting  on  the  ground. 


CHARADRIID./E,  —  THE  PLOVERS. 

168.  Charadrius  Virginicus,  BORCK. — Golden  Plover, 
"  Green    Plover,"     "  Three-toed    Plover,"     "  Black-back," 
"  Pale-bellied  Plover,"  "  Frost-Bird."     Common  spring  and 
autumn  migrant.     Frequents  the  hills  near  the  sea-shore. 

169.  -Sgialitis   vociferus,   CASS.  —  Killdeer   Plover. 
Rather  rare  summer  resident.     Said  to  have  been  common 
years  ago  in  localities. 

*  S.  Jillson,  "  Proceedings  of  the  Essex  Institute,"  I.  p.  224. 


BIRDS    OF    KAS1KRN    MASSACHUSETTS.  13i) 

170.  .ffigialitis  semipalmatus,  CAB. —  Ring  Plover. 
•'King-Neck,"  "  Ox-eye. '     Alnmdant  on  the  shore  during 
the  migrations. 

171.  -ffigialitis    melodus,    CAB. — Piping    Plover, 
"King-Neck."     Common  summer  resident.     Breeds  abun- 
dantly  in  June  on  the  sandy  shores. 

The  Wilson's  Plover,  "  Ring-Neck  "  (^Egialitis  Wilsonius, 
Cass. ).     Said  to  occur  ;   I  have  yet  to  meet  with  it. 

1 72.  Squat arola  helvetica,  CUVIER.  —  Black-bellied 
Plover,    "  Beetle-head,"  "  Bull-head."     Generally  abundant 
during  the  migrations,  but  sometimes  not  even  common. 


^:,  —  OYSTER-CATCHERS. 

173.  Haematopus  palliatus,  TEMM.  —  Oyster-Catcher. 
Accidental  ;   but  one   or  two   instances  of  its  capture  on 
record. 

1 74.  Strepsilas  interpres,  ILLIG.  —  Turnstone,  "Chick- 
en  Bird,"    "  Ited-legged    Plover,"    "  Black-heart,"   "  Brant- 
Bird."    Rather  common  on  the  coast  during  the  migrations. 
Frequents  rocky  shores. 


SCOLOPACID/K,  —  THE  SNIPES. 

17").  Philohela  minor,  LINN. —  Woodcock.  Common 
summer  resident.  Arrives  early  in  April.  Breeds,  nesting 
on  the  ground 

1 7(».  G  alii  n  ago  Wilsonii,  Box.  —  Snipe,  "  English 
Snipe."  Vommoii  during  the  migrations.  Arrives  early 
in  April ,  by  November  30th  they  have  all  passed  Massa- 
chusetts on  their  nonthem  migrations. 

1 77.  Macrorhamphus  griseus,  LEACH.—  Red-breasted 
Snipe,  "  Robin  Knipo,"  vt  lirowii-back,"  "Dowitcher."  Not 
uncommon  during  the  migrations. 


140  THE   NATURALIST'S    GUIDE. 

1 78.  Calidris  arenaria,  ILLIG.  —  Sanderling,  "  Shore- 
Bird,"  "  Beach-Bird."     Abundant  on  the  sandy  shores  and 
beaches  during  the  migrations. 

179.  Tringa   canutus,    LINN.  —  Knot,    "Gray-back." 
Common  spring  and  autumn  migrant. 

180.  Arquatella  maritima,  BAIRD.  —  Purple  Sand- 
piper,  "Rock  Snipe.'     Never   very   common.     Found   on 
the  coast  during  spring  and  autumn. 

181.  Ancylocheilus  subarquatus,  KAUP. —  Curlew 
Sandpiper.  —  Accidental,   or  very  rare.     A  few  specimens 
taken  on  our  coast. 

182.  Pelidna  Americana,  COUES.  — American  Dunlin, 
"  Red-back."    Abundant  spring  and  autumn  migrant.    Have 
taken  it  late  in  November,      i  do  not  think  it  winters. 

On  June  18,  18G8,  1  saw  and  shot  several  specimens  of 
this  Sandpiper  about  the  fresh-water  ponds  on  Ipswich 
beach  ;  they  were  fat,  and,  upon  dissecting,  the  females 
did  not  exhibit  any  signs  of  breeding ;  they  were  evidently 
the  young  of  the  preceding  year. 

183.  Actodromas  maculata,  CASS.  —  Pectoral  Sand- 
piper,  "Jacksnipe,"  " Grass  Bird,"   "Fat-Bird."     Common 
during  the  migrations.     Frequents  the  marshes. 

184.  Actodromas  minutilla,  COUES.  —  Least  Sand- 
piper, "  Peep."     Abundant  during  the  migrations. 

185.  Actodromas  Bonapartii,  CASS.  —  Bonaparte's 
Sandpiper,     "  White -rumped     Sandpiper,''     "  Grass- Bird." 
Abundant  during  the  migrations.     Frequents  the  marshes. 

1 8G.  Ereunetes  pusillus,  CASS.  —  Semipalmated  Sand- 
piper, "Peep."  Abundant  during  the  migrations.  June  18, 
1868,  they  were  found  in  company  with  P.  Americana,  at 
Ipswich,  and  were  in  the  same  condition. 

187.  Micropalama  himantopus,  BAIRD.  —  Stilt 
Sandpiper.  Very  rare.  A  single  specimen  captured  in  au- 
tumn by  Mr.  W.  Brewster,  at  Rye  Beach,  New  Hampshire.* 

*  Mr.  Brewster  informs  me  that  he  took  another   at   the   same  place 
in  the  Inst  vook  in  Au<m«t,  If  69. 


BIRDS    OF    EASTERN    MASSACHUSETTS.  141 

188.  Symphemia  semipalmata,  HARTL.  —  Wilfa, 
"Stone  Curlew,"  "Humility."     Rather  rare  summer  resi- 
dent.     Frequents    sandy    shores.      Has    a   loud   note    of 
alarm,  which  startles  every  bird  on  the  shore  within  hear- 
ing.    I  have  seen  large  numbers  of  this  species  perched  on 
dead  mangrove-trees  in  Florida. 

189.  G-ambetta    melanoleuca,     BON.  —  Telltale, 
"  Stone  Snipe/'  "  Winter  Yellow-Legs,"  "  Greater  Tatler." 
Common  during  the  migrations.     Arrives  from  the  north 
early  in  August. 

1  (JO.  Gambetta  flavipes,  BON.  —  Yellow-Legs,  "  Sum- 
mer Yellow-Legs,"  "Lesser  Tatler."  Summer  resident; 
common  during  the  migrations.  I  have  seen  it  at  Ips- 
wich on  the  marshes  throughout  the  summer.  Perhaps 
breeds. 

191.  Rhyacophilus    solitarius,  BAIRD.  —  Solitary 
Sandpiper,  "  Steelyard   Bird."     Not   very  common  during 
the  migrations.     Remains  late  in  the  autumn.    On  October 
31,  1869,  when  the  ponds  were  partly  frozen  over,  I  shot 
a  specimen  in  Errol,  New  Hampshire ;  it  was  much  emaci- 
ated, but  apparently  well  and  lively.     Although  the  birds 
have  been   neen  in  summer,  yet  no  case  of  their  actually 
breeding  is  recorded  ;  probably  this  is  a  case  parallel  with 
those  quoted  nbovp  (P.  Americana  and  E.  purittttf). 

192.  Tringoides  macularius,  Box. — Spotted  Sand- 
piper, "  Tip-up,"  "  Teter-tnil."     Common  summer  resident 
both  on  the  shore  and  in  the  interior.     Arrives  from  May 
1st  to  8th  ;  leaves  in  September.     Breeds,  nesting,  in  the 
interior,  on  the  edge  of  a  rye-field,  or  near  ploughed  land ; 
on  the  coast,  in  the  sand  or  nmong  the  rocks. 

193.  Actiturus  Bartramius,  BON.  —  Bartrarris  Sand- 
piper,   "Field    Plover,"     "Hill- Bird,"     "Upland    Plover," 
"  Gray    Plover."     Not    an    uncommon    summer   resident ; 
quite  common  during  the  migrations.      Frequents  the  dry 
fields,  where  it  breeds.     Arrives  about  the  last  of  April. 


142  THE   NATURALIST'S   GUIDE. 

194.  Tryngites  rufescens,  CAB. — Buff-breasted  Sand- 
piper, "  Little  Plover."     Hare  spring  and  autumn  migrant ; 
found  on  the  sandy  shores. 

195.  Limosa  fedoa,  ORD.  —  Marbled  Godivit,  "  Brant 
Bird,"  "  Badger-Bird."     Rare  during  the  migrations.     Mr. 
H.    B.    Farley    informs   me    that    he    shot  a  specimen  at 
Ipswich  on  July  17,  1869.      Winters  in  large  numbers  in 
Florida,  and   I  was  assured,  upon  good  authority,  that  it 
remained  during  the  summer,  but  the  nest  has  never  been 
found  !     How  they  propagated  was  a  mystery  to  those  un- 
acquainted with  its  northern  migration. 

196.  Limosa  Huds:nica,  SWAIN.  —  Hudsonian  God- 
wit,  "  Goose-Bird,"  "  Black-tail,"  "  Spot-neck."     Very  rare 
during  the  migrations. 

197.  Numenius    Icngirostris,    WILS.  —  Long-billed 
Curlew,  "Sickle-bill."     .Not  uncommon  during  the  migra- 
tions, but  very  shy  ;  but  few  shot  on  this  account. 

198.  Numenius   Huds.nicus,    LATH. — Hudsonian 
Curlew,  "Dough-Bird,"  "Jack  Curlew."     Very  rare  on  the 
migrations. 

199.  Numenius  borealis,  LATH.  —  Esquimaux  Cur- 
lew,  "  Flute."    Not  uncommon  during  the  migrations.    The 
"  Dough-Bird  "  of  gunners.     Very  fat  in  autumn. 


PHALAROPODID^,— THE  PHALAROPES. 

200.  Steganopus  Wilsonii,  COUEH. —  Wilson's  Pha- 
larope.     Accidental  on  the  coast.     Audubon  appears  to  be 
the  only  one  v.ho  records  it  from  this  section. 

201.  Phalaropus  fulioarius,  BON.  —  Red  Phalarope. 
Occasional  during  the  migrations  along  the  coast. 

202.  Lobipes  hyperboreus,  Cuv.  —  Northern  Phala- 
rope.    Not  common  during  the  migrations. 

While  migrating,  the  Phalaropes  generally  keep  off  the 
coast. 


BIRDS   OF   EASTERN   MASSACHUSETTS.  143 


RECURVIROSTRID.E,  —  THE  AVOSETS  AND  STILTS, 

The  American  Avoset  (Recurvirostra  Americana,  Gin.) 
may  perhaps  occur ;  no  well-authenticated  instance  of  ita 
capture  in  the  State  is  on  record. 

203.  Himantopus  nigricollis,  VIEILL. — Black-necked 
Stilt,  "  Lawyer."  Occasionally  seen  along  the  sandy  beaches. 

Of  this  fact  I  am  assured  by  gunners  and  others,  who 
have  noticed  it  on  account  of  its  peculiarities,  and  ironi- 
cally named  it  "  Humility." 


ARDEID.E,  —  THE  HERONS. 

204.  Ardea  herodias,    LINN.  —  Great    Blue  Heron* 
"  Crane."     Common  summer  resident.     Probably  breeds. 

205.  Herodias  egretta,  GRAY.  —  Great  White  Egret. 
Accidental.     Two  specimens   in  the  Museum  of  Compara- 
tive Zoology,  taken  at  or  near  Hudson,  by  Mr.  S.  Jillson, 
in  the  autumn  of  1867;   one  or  two  other  instances  on 
record  of  its  capture  in  this  section. 

A  magnificent  mature  specimen  is  in  the  fine  collection 
of  Mr.  N.  Vickery,  which  was  shot  at  Lynn,  near  the  rail- 
road station. 

206.  G-arzetta  candidissima,  BON. —  Snowy  Heron, 
or  Little  White  EgreL     Entirely  accidental.     "Have  seen 
one  that  was  killed  near  Boston  in   1862."*     One  other 
instance  of  its  capture  is  on  record.     This  and  the  preced- 
ing are  stragglers  from  the  south. 

207.  Florida  caerulea,  BAIRD.  —  Little  Blue  Heron. 
Rare  summer  visitor.     I  have  met  with  it  but  twice  in 
this  section.     A  few  other  instances  of  its  capture  are  on 
record. 

»  J.  A.  Allen,  "  Proceedings  of  the  Essex  Institute,"  IV  1«64  D  86 


144  THE   NATURALLSi'S    GUIDE." 

208.  Ardetta   exilis,  GRAY,  —  Least  Bittern.     Very 
rare  in  summer.     Mr.  William  Brewster  has  a  specimen  in 
his  cabinet,  taken  on  the  Fresh  Pond  marshes  in  Belmont, 
August  11,  1808. 

209.  Botaurus     lentiginosus,     STEPH.  —  Bittern, 
"  Meadow  Hen,"  "  Indian  i±eu,''   "  Dunkadoo."     Common 
summer  resident,     Breeds,  nesting  in    inaccessible   places 
in  swamps  and   fresh   marshes.     Arrives   early   in   April; 
leaves  in  October.     This  species  is  rare  on  the  sea-shore. 

210.  Butorides  virescens,   BON.  —  "Green  Heron," 
"  Mud-Hen,"    "  Poke,"    "  Chalk-line."      Common    summer 
resident.     Breeds,    nesting  in  thickets    and   thick  woods, 
but  more  commonly  on  the  sea-shore  than  in  the  interior. 

211.  Nyctiardea  Gardenii,  BAIRD.  —  Night  Heron, 
"  Qua-Bird,"  "  JSquak,"  "  Gooiy-gossit."     Common  summer 
resident,    breeding   abundantly  in  communities,   both    on 
the  coast  and  in  the  interior.     The  young,   when  able  to 
fly,  congregate  on  the   sea-shore.      Although  nocturnal  in 
habit,  it  sees  well  by  day.     Arrives  early  in  April ;  leaves 
in  October. 

As  substantiating  the  hypothesis  concerning  the  luminous- 
ness  of  the  peculiar  spot  on  the  breast  of  this  Heron,  1  give 
the  following,  as  related  to  me  by  Mrs.  H.  B.  Farley,  of 
Ipswich.  1  may  state  that  Mrs.  Farley,  until  after  she  had 
related  the  story,  had  no  knowledge  of  any  particular  in- 
terest being  attached  to  the  fact  she  had  discovered  ;  for 
this  reason  she  was  an  unbiased  observer,  which  gives  the 
discovery  additional  importance- 

"  Three  or  four  years  ago  1  was  sitting  on  the  banks  of 
Ipswich  River,  just  at  twilight,  waiting  for  my  brother  to 
come  for  rne  in  a  boat  to  convey  me  home.  1  was  keeping 
very  quiet,  when  1  saw  a  Heron  alight  within  a  few  feet 
of  me,  on  the  edge  of  the  water.  He  was  joined  by  others, 
until  there  were  about  a  dozen,  then  I  observed  that  every 
one  of  them  had  a  luminous  spot  on  its  breast.  This 


BIRDS   OF   EASTERN  MASSACHUSETTS  145 

spot  was  not  very  bright,  but,  as  it  was  quite  dark  by 
this  time,  plainly  perceptible.  They  presented  a  peculiar 
appearance  as  they  walked  about,  and  1  watched  them 
with  interest  for  some  time.  This  singular  light  sur- 
prised me  much,  as  1  had  never  heard  of  anything  like  it 
before." 

It  was  in  the  autumn  when  Mrs.  Farljy  observed  this 
striking  and  interesting  phenomenon, 

^12.  Nyctherodius  violaceus,  REICH,  —  Yellow- 
crowned  JS/tyht  lit roii. —  Mr.  Vickery  informs  me  that  he 
shot  a  specimen  in  Lynn  in  18(55.  The  bird  was  flying 
over  his  head  at  the  time. 

213.  Falcinellus  Ordii,  BON.  —  Glossy  Ibis.  Acci- 
dental or  occasional  N  uttall  records  one  or  two  instances 
of  its  capture  ;  Cabot,  one  or  two  ;  none  recently,  however. 
Mr.  Vickery  also  informs  me  that  he  has  seen  a  specimen 
of  this  tine  bird,  that  was  taken,  fifteen  years  ago,  at  or 
near  Stafford  Ridge,  New  Hampshire. 


^:,  —  THE  RAILS. 

214.  Rallus  crepitans,  GM.-   Clapper  Pail,  "Salt- 
marsh  Hen."   Accidental.    Mr.  J.  F.  Le  Baron  informed  me 
that  he  shot  a  specimen,  some  years  ago,  at  Ipswich.     Also 
one  taken  by  Mr.  S.  J.  Cabot. 

215.  Rallus    Virginianus,   LINN. —  Virginia    RaiU 
Common  summer  resident.     Frequents  the  bushy  swamps. 
Breeds  early,  nesting  on   some   tussock       Have  seen  tho 
young  running  about  by  the  first  of  June. 

216.  Porzana    Carolina,    VIEILL.  —  Carolina    Rail, 
"  Sora  Rail,"  "Ortolan."    Common  summer  resident.    Fre- 
quents the  wet,  open  meadows,  where  it  breeds.     Both  of 
these  species  are  much  more  common  than  most  collectors 
or  sportsmen  are  aware  of.     1  have  been  in  a  swamp  where 

7  J 


146  THE   NATURALIST'S    GUIDE. 

there  were  literally  thousands  of  them,  yet  I  was  unable  to 
start  more  than  two  or  three !  Indeed,  without  a  good 
dog,  trained  for  the  purpose,  it  is  impossible  to  secure  any 
number.  They  leave  early  for  the  south. 

217.  Forzana  noveboracensis,  CASS.  — Yellow  Rail. 
Very  rare  during  the   migrations.     Perhaps  a  few  breed. 
On  September  8,  1868,  my  young  friend,  Frank  P.  Jackson, 
was  walking  with   me  in  the  dusk  of  evening,  through  a 
squash-field,  on  hiyk  land,  when  he  started  up  and  shot  a 
specimen.     There  was   a  meadow   twenty  or   thirty   rods 
away  at  the  foot  of  the  hill.     It  is  a  female,  and  diifers 
from  any  I  have  ever  seen,  having  a  broad  white  eJying 
to  the  secondaries ;  so  broad  and  prominent  is  this  edging, 
that  it  gave  the  bird  the  appearance  of  having  white  wings 
while  flying,  in  the  imperfect  light  in  which  it  was  shot. 

218.  Fulica  Americana,  GM.  —  Coot,   "Mud-Hen." 
Summer  resident.     Perhaps  breeds.     Generally  seen  dur- 
ing the  migrations.     Frequents  the  weedy  edges  of  ponds 
and  rivers. 

219.  Gallinula  galeata,   Box. — Common  Gallmule, 
Florida  Gallinule.     Accidental.     A  specimen  taken  on  the 
Concord   River  marshes,    in  the  fall  of  1867,  by  Mr.   T. 
Dewing.     "  The  Florida  Gallinule  probably  breeds  in  the 
Fresh  Pond  marshes,  as  I  shot  a  young  bird  on  October  9, 
1868,  and  saw  another."* 

220.  Gallinula  martinica,  LATH.  —  Purple  Gallinule. 
Like  the  preceding.     Accidental.     A  few  specimens  have 
been  taken  in  the  State. 


ANATID^,  —  THE  SWANS,  GEESE,   DUCKS,  ETC. 

221.  Cygnus  Am  eric  anus,  SHAKPLKSS.  —Swan.    Very 
rare  in  winter,   Mr.  J.  F.  Le  Baron   informs   me   that  in 

*  MS.  Notes  of  Mr.  W.  Brewster. 


BIRDS   OF   EASTERN   MASSACHUSETTS.  147 

former  years  this  bird  was  occasionally  seen  at  Ipswich  ;  but 
of  late  years  it  has  not  made  its  appearance. 

The  Snow  Goose  (Anser  hyperboreus,  Pallas)  perhaps  oc- 
curs rarely  in  winter. 

The  White-fronted  Goose  (Anser  Gambetii,  Hartl.),  liko 
the  preceding,  perhaps  rarely  occurs  in  the  State. 

The  Barnacle  Goose  (Bernicla  leucopsis).  This  European 
species  has  been  attributed  to  this  coast,  but  apparently 
upon  insufficient  evidence.  It  may,  however,  occur,  as  it 
has  recently  been  detected  and  taken  near  the  southern  end 
of  Hudson's  Bay.* 

222.  Bernicla    brenta,   STEPH. — Brant.      Common 
spring  and  autumn  migrant  on  the  coast. 

The  Hutch in's  Goose  (Bernicla  Hutchinsii,  Bon.)  perhaps 
occurs  rarely  during  the  migrations,  as  it  has  been  taken  in 
Connecticut. 

223.  Bernicla    canadensis,    BOIE.  —  Wild    Goose. 
Abundant  spring  and  autumn  migrant. 

224.  Anas  boschas,  LINN.  —  Mallard.     Hare  spring 
and  autumn  migrant. 

225.  Anas   obscura,  GM. — Black  Duck.     Abundant 
winter %rex;d'Mit.     A  few  breed. 

22<i.  Dafila  acuta,  JENYXS.  —  Pin-tail,  "Sprig-tail,11 
"  Pile-start.*1  Rare  winter  resident  along  the  coast. 

227.  Nettion   Carolinensis,  BAIRD.  —  Green-winged 
Teal.     Common  during  the  migrations. 

228.  Nettion  crecca,  KAUP.  —  English  Teal     Strag- 
gling from  Europe  ;  entirely  accidental.     "  Has  been  taken 
in  the  State  by  Dr.  H.  Bryant,  "f 

229.  Spatula  clypeata,  BOIE.  —  Shoveller,  "  Spoon* 
billed  "  Duck.     Rare  in  spring  and  autumn. 

230.  Querquedula    discors,    STEPH.  —  Bl 
Teal     Common  spring  and  autumn  migrant. 

*  Professor  S.  F.  Bnird,  in  "  American  Naturalist,"  II.  U6«,  p.  49. 
f  J.  A.  Allen,  "  Proceedings  of  the  Essex  Institute,"  IV.  1M34,  p.  ^ 


148  THE   NATURALIST'S    GUIDE. 

231.  Chaulelasmus    streperus,    GRAY.  —  Gadwall, 
"Gray   Duck."     Rare   in  spring  and  autumn. 

232.  Mareca  Penelope,  BON.  —  European  Widgeon. 
Straggler-  from  Europe.      Mr.    Samuels    says    it    has   been 
taken  in  the   State. 

233.  Mareca  Americana,  STEPS.— American  Widyeun. 
"  Baldpate."     .Sot  uncommon  during  the  migrations. 

234.  Aix   sponsa,    SWAIN.  —  \Vood  Duck.     Common 
summer  resident. 

235.  Fulix   marila,   BAIRD.  —  Scaup   Duck,   "  Black- 
head,   "  Blue-hill."      Not  common  on  the  migrations. 

236.  Fulix  affinis,  BAIRD.  —  Little  Black-head.     Rare 
during  the  migrations. 

237.  Fulix     collaris,     BAIRD.  —  Ring-necked    D,«k. 
Rare    in    spring   and    autumn.     This  and  the   three  pre- 
ceding frequent   the  ponds  and  rivers  of  the  interior. 

238.  Aythya  Americana,  BON.  —  Red-head.     Rare 
in  autumn. 

23(J.  Aythya  vallisneria,  BON.  —  Canvas-back.  Rare 
in  autumn.  Plentiful  in  Boston  markets,  but  brought 
from  farther  south. 

240.  Bucephala  Americana,  BAIRD.  —  Golden-Eye, 
"  Whistler."     Common  during  winter.     Exceedingly  shv. 

241.  Bucephala  albeola,  BAIRD.  —  Bn$?-head,  "  But- 
ter-ball," "  Dipper."    Not  uncommon  in  autumn  and  winter. 

242.  Histrionicus     torquatus,    BON.  —  Harlequin 
Duck,  "Lord."     Very  rare  during  winter. 

243.  Harelda  glacialis,  LEACH.  —  Long-tailed  Duck, 
"  Old  Wife,"  "  Old    Squaw,"    "  South  Southerly."     Abun- 
dant spring  and  autumn  migrant ;  some  winter. 

244.  Camptolaemus  Labradorius,  GRAY.  —  Labra- 
dor Duck.     Rare  during  winter. 

245.  Melanetta  velvetina,   BAIRD.  —  Velvet  Duck, 
"  White- winged  Coot,"  "  Butter-bill."    Common  during  win- 
ter on  the  coast. 


BIRDS   OF   EASTERN   MASSACHUSETTS.  149 

246.  Pelionetta  perspicillata,  KAUP.  —  Surf-Duck, 
"  Coot."     Common  during  autumn  and  winter. 

247.  CEdemia  Americana,  SWAIN. — Scoter,  "Gray- 
winged   Coot."     Abundant   during   autumn;    common    in 
winter.* 

248.  Somateria  mollissima,  LEACH.  —  Eider-Duck. 
Common    during    spring   and  autumn,  also  on  the  south 
shore  in  winter. 

249.  Somateria  spectabilis,  LEACH.  —  King  Eider. 
Rare  in  winter. 

250.  Erismatura  rubida,  BON. — Ruddy  Duck,  "Loo- 
by,"   "  Dumb-Bird."      Common   during   the   migration   in 
spring  and  autumn.     Seen  on  ponds  in  the  interior. 

25 1.  Mergus  Americanus,  CASS. — Sheldrake,  "  Goose- 
ander,"  "  Fish  Duck,"     Common   during   the  migrations. 
Seen  on  ponds  in  the  interior. 

252.  Mergus  senator,  LINN. — Red-breasted  Mergan- 
ser, "  Sheldrake,"  "  Wheaser."     Abundant  during  the  mi- 
grations. 

253.  Lophodytes  CUCUllatus,  REICH.  — Hooded  Mer- 
ganser, "  Water-Pheasant."     Not  common  during  the  mi- 
grations.    Abundant  in  Florida  in  winter. 


PELECANID^:,  —  THE  PELICANS. 

254.  Pelecanus  fuscus,  LiNN.f — Brown  Pelican.    Mr. 
J.   F.   Le   Baron  is  confident  of  having  seen  two  of  this 
species  at  Ipswich  some  years  ago. 

255.  Pelecanus    erythrorhynchus,    GM.  —  White- 
Pelican.     Mr.  Allen  informs  me   that  a  specimen  was  re- 
cently taken  at  Brant  Point,  Nantucket. 

*  Mr.  E.  C.  Greenwood  informs  me  that  this,  with  the  two  preceding 
species,  is  sometimes  seen  in  summer. 

f  Erroneously  given  by  Mr  Allen  as  the  succeeding  species,  "  Ameri- 
can Naturalist,"  III.  p.  640. 


'150  THE  NATURALIST'S   GUIDE. 


SULID.E,  —  THE  GANNETS. 

256.  Sula  bassana,  Ross.  —  Gamut,  "  Haglett."  Com- 
mon in  winter  otf  the  coast. 

'257.  Sula  fiber,  LINN.  —  Booby.  Given  as  rare  in 
Essex  County,  some  years  ago,  by  Mr.  Putnam ;  no  record 
of  its  capture  recently. 


GRACULID^E,  — THE  CORMORANTS. 

258.  Graculus  dilophus,  GRAY.  —  Double-crested  Cor- 
morant, "  JShag."     Not  uncommon  off  the  coast  in  winter. 

259.  GraculllS  carbo,  GRAY.  —  Common   Cormorant, 
*'Shag."     Common  oft'  the  coast  in  autumn  and  winter. 


LARHLE,  —  THE  GULLS,  TERNS,  ETC. 

260.  Buphagus   Skua,  COUES.  —  Skua   Gull.     Said 
to  be  rare  on  the  coast  ;  perhaps  doubtful. 

261.  Stercorarius  pomarinus,  TEMM. — Pomarine 
Skua  or  Jdger.     Not  uncommon  along  the  coast  in  autumn 
and  wintor. 

2f  2.  Stercorarius  parasiticus,  GRAY. — Arctic  Jager. 
Rare  in  winter  off  the  coast. 

263.  Stercorarius    Buffonii,    COUES.  —  Long-tailed 
Jager,   "  Marlinspike."     Not  uncommon  off  the    coast  in 
winter. 

264.  Larus  marinus,  LINN.  —  Great  Black-backed  Gull, 
"Saddle-back,"  "Coffin-carrier."     Common  during  winter. 

265.  Larus  glaucus,  BRUNN.  —  Glaucous  Gull,    "  Ice 
Gull."     Rare  in  winter. 

266.  Larus  leucopterus,  FABER.  —  White-winged  Gull. 
Not  common  in  winter. 


BIRDS   OF  EASTERN   MASSACHUSETTS.  151 

267.  Lams    argentatus,    BRUNN. — Herring   Gull 
Common  resident ;  more  abundant  in  autumn  and  winter. 
Does  not  now  breed  anywhere  in  the  State,  although  it  did 
formerly ;  those  remaining  in  summer  are  mostly  immature 
birds. 

268.  Lams  Delawarensis,  ORD. — Ring-billed  Gull. 
Not  uncommon  along  the  coast  in  winter. 

The  Hutchin's  Gull  (Larus  Hutchinsii,  Richardson).  A 
specimen  taken  in  Salem  harbor,  1856,  in  the  musenm  of 
the  Peabody  Academy  of  Science,  labelled  by  Dr.  Cones 
as  above ;  it,  however,  looks  very  like  an  albino ;  perhaps 
L.  argentatus. 

269.  Chroecocephalus  atricilla,  LEACH.  —  Laughing 
Gull.     Not  uncommon  along  the  whole  coast.     Have  found 
it  breeding  at  Muskegat  Island,  south  of  the  main-land,  and 
near  Nantucket.     I  should  judge  that  there  were  a  dozen 
pairs  breeding.     Does  not  breed  elsewhere  on  the  coast. 
Have    seen  an  egg  and  bird  taken  at  Tenant's   Harbor, 
Maine,  by  Mr.  L.  L.  Thaxter,  of  Newton.     I  have  seen  the 
bird  late  in  November  at  Ipswich. 

270.  Chroecocephalus   Philadelphia,    LEACH.  — 
Bonaparte's  Gull.     Common  in  autumn  and  spring,  a  few 
winter. 

271.  Rissa  tridactyla,  BON.  —  Kittiivake.     Common 
in  autumn  and  winter. 

The  Marsh  Tern  (Gelochelidon  Anglica,  Bon.)  is  said  to 
occur ;  if  it  does,  I  have  yet  to  meet  with  it. 

272.  Thalasseus    Caspius,    Box.  —  Caspian     Tern. 
Rare  in  winter.      I   have  seen  it   upon  one  or  two  occa- 
sions ;  have  also  seen  it  in  New  York  harbor  in  Decem- 
ber. 

273.  Thalasseus  acuflavida,  CABOT.  —  Cabot's  Tern, 
Sandwich  Tern.     Mr.  Vickery  has  a  fine  specimen  of  this 
bird  in  his  cabinet,  that  he  took  at  Cape  Cod  in  the  au- 
tumn of  1866.      He  also  saw  another.      This  specimen  ip 


152  THE   NATURALIST'S   GUIDE. 

in  immature  plumage.     Its  usual  habitat  is  from  Texas  to 
Florida  and  the  West  Indies. 

274.  Sterna  hirundo,  LINN. —  Wilson's  Tern.     Abun- 
dant on  the  coast  in  summer.     Breeds  abundantly  on  the 
sandy  beaches  and  islands.     This  species,  and  also  S.  ma- 
croura, are  called,  by  popular  writers,  "  Seamews."     They 
are  also  called  "  Tide  Gulls'1  and  "  Meous." 

275.  Sterna  macroura,  NAUM.  —  Arctic  Tern.    Abun- 
dant summer  resident.      1  do  not  think  it  winters.     Breeds 
abundantly  along  the  shore.     Found  it  at  Muskegat,  breed- 
ing apart  from  the  other  species.     There  is  no  difference 
in  the  note  between  this  and  S.  hirundo. 

The  descriptions  heretofore  given  of  this  bird  have  been 
meagre,  and  in  many  cases  erroneous,  tending  to  produce 
doubt  as  to  its  validity  as  a  species.  But  as  the  specific 
characters  are  well  denned,  and  certain  of  them  so  constant 
as  fully  to  establish  its  claim  as  a  species,  I  purpose  to 
give  here  a  full  description  of  it,  with  a  table  of  measure- 
ments. 

Sterna  macroura,  NAUM. — Arctic  Tern,  Red-billed  Tern. 

Sterna  macroura.         NAUM.,  Isis   1819,  1847. 

"      macrura.          LAWR.,  Birds  N   Am.  1858,  p.  862. 

"      macroura          COUES,  Proceedings  Phil.  Acad.  N.  S.,  Dec.,  1862, 

p.  549. 

Sterna  arctea  "TEMM  ,  Mar.  d'Orn.,  II.,  1820,  p.  742." 

"          "  BON.,  Syn.  1828,  No  287,  p.  354. 

"          "  Sw.  &  RICH.,  F    B   A.,  II.,  1831,  p.  414. 

u          "  NUTT.,  Man  .  II  .  1834,  p  275. 

*         **  AUD.,  Orn.  Biog ,  III.,  1835,  p.  296.  —  IB.  Birds 

Am.  VII.  1844,  p   107;  PI.  CCCCXXIV.* 

"          "  Dr  H.  Bryant,  Pro   Boston  Soc.  of  Nat.  Hist.  VI., 

1858,  p.  12C. 

SP.  CH.  —  Adult.  Bill  slender,  slightly  curved ;  color, 
bright  carmine.  Top  of  head  and  hind  neck,  black.  Neck, 
back,  wing-coverts,  scapularies,  secondaries,  breast,  and 

*  Figures  S.  hirundo  with  black  tip  to  bill. 


BIRDS   OF   EASTERN   MASSACHUSETTS.  153 

sides,  a  beautiful  pearl  gray,  except  the  inner  edge  of 
the  secondaries,  with  their  tips,  and  those  of  the  scapu- 
laries,  which  are  white.  Quills,  with  the  upper  parts  gray, 
dusky  towards  the  tips,  with  the  outer  web  of  the  outer 
feather,  and  a  narrow  basal  line  along  the  inner  web  of 
the  terminal  portion  of  each  feather,  black.  Basal  portion 
and  shaft  of  each  feather,  together  with  the  margins  of 
the  inner  webs  and  whole  under  surface  of  the  wing,  white. 
Rump,  upper  tail-coverts,  tail-feathers,  abdomen,  and  un- 
der tail-coverts,  pure  white,  except  the  terminal  portion 
of  the  outer  webs  of  the  two  outer  tail-feathers  on  each 
side,  which  are  dusky.  The  chin,  upper  part  of  the  throat, 
and  a  line  running  from  the  base  of  the  bill  under  the  eye 
to  the  occiput,  also  white  ;  the  chin  and  throat  are  some- 
times tinged  with  ashy.  The  under  eyelids  are  black. 
Feet,  small ;  tarsus,  short.  The  transverse  scales  on  the 
tarsi  and  toes  are  very  much  ridged  ;  the  upper  part 
of  the  webs  and  under  surface  of  the  feet  are  covered 
with  small,  pranulous  protuberances ;  both  of  these  facts 
give  the  feet  a  peculiar  appearance.  Color,  bright  ver- 
milion. 

Young.  —  The  yonng-of-the-year,  the  ensuing  spring, 
differs  from  this  in  having  the  bill  longer,  thicker,  and  more 
curved,  with  a  small  part  of  the  basal  and  a  spot  near 
the  tip  of  the  upper  mandible  dusky  ;  the  bill  is  not  so 
intense  in  color.  There  are  a  few  white  feathers  near  the 
base  of  the  bill  in  the  black  of  the  head.  The  upper  parts 
generally,  with  the  exceptions  of  the  wing-coverts,  which 
are  darker,  are  lighter.  The  outer  webs  of  all  the  tail- 
feathers  are  dusky.  The  under  parts  are  paler.  The  feet 
are  not  so  intense  in  color. 

Youny-of-tke-t/ear  in  autumn*  differs  from  the  preceding 

*  This  staerf1  of  p!nma<re  his  boen  before  unknown  to  authors,  at  which 
1  am  somewhat  surpnspd  The  ^pecimens  that  I  am  describing  wei*e  shot 
with  the  old,  who  exhibited  considerable  solicitude. 


154 


THE   NATURALIST'S   GUIDE. 


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BIRDS    OF    EASTERN    MASSACHUSETTS.  155 


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156  THE  NATURALIST'S   GUIDE. 

in  having  the  forehead  quite  white;  a  few  white  feathers  on 
the  back  of  the  head ;  the  black  is  not  quite  as  intense,  or 
more  brownish.  The  feathers  of  the  back  are  edged  with 
rufous.  The  shoulders  are  darker.  The  tail  is  not  as 
deeply  forked,  and  the  tips  of  the  feathers  are  rufous.  The 
whole  under  parts  are  pure  white.  The  white  line  from 
the  base  of  the  bill  is  discontinued  just  in  front  of  the  ejre, 
and  the  portion  occupied  by  it  is  quite  dusky,  almost  black  ! 
The  feet  are  dull  orange.  The  bill  is  black,  with  the  base 
of  the  lower  mandible  orange. 

The  S.  hirundo  differs  from  this  species,  in  the  adult  stage, 
in  having  the  beak  longer  and  more  curved,  with  the  color 
bright  orange,  and  the  terminal  portion  always  black. 
The  pearl  gray  of  the  upper  and  under  parts  is  never  as 
deep,  while  the  lower  part  of  the  back  is  always  quite  pale, 
so  that  the  white  of  the  rump  is  not  as  abrupt  in  its  com- 
mencement. The  throat  and  chin  are  always  white,  with- 
out the  ashy  tinge.  The  feet  are  larger,  the  tarsi  much 
longer.  The  tarsi  also  lack  the  ridged  transverse  scales ; 
they  are  smoother;  the  webs  are  also  smooth  ;  the  color 
is  pale  orange,  never  approaching  the  carmine  of  the 
other. 

In  the  next  stage  there  is  more  white  on  the  head  of 
S.  hirundo  ;  the  bill  is  almost  black  ;  the  rump  tinged  with 
ashy. 

Young-of-the-year  birds  are  readily  distinguished  by  the 
rump  of  hirundo  being  ashy,  the  feet  larger,  the  tarsi  longer 
with  a  smoother  appearance.  The  bill  is  much  the  same 
color,  but  in  hirundo  it  is  longer.  It  never  has  the  dusky 
appearance  below  the  eye  seen  in  macrmtra. 

276.  Sterna  paradisea  —  Roseate  Tern.  This,  with 
the  two  preceding  species,  is  called  the  "  Mackerel  Gull  " 
on  the  more  northern  sections  of  the  coast,  while  on  the 
south  shore  the  two  preceding  are  called  "Te-arrs,"  from  the 
note  ;  this  species  is  called  "  Hoyt "  for  the  same  reason. 


BIRDS   OF   EASTERN   MASSACHUSETTS.  157 

Common  at  Ipswich  in  autumn.  Abundant  on  the  south 
shore  during  the  breeding-season.  Breeds  on  Muskegat 
Island  abundantly  ;  generally  building  a  nest  of  sticks  in  a 
hollow  among  the  Sand-hills. 

277.  Sterna     Antillarum,     COUES.  —  Least    Tern, 
"Jack-knifa    Gull."      Not    as    common    as  the  preceding. 
Breeds  later,  not  until  July  ;  lays  from  one  to  four  eggs. 
Have   found  a  few  breeding  at  Ipswich.     Also  breeds  on 
Nantucket. 

Forster's  Tern  (Sterna  Forsterii,  Nutt).  This  speciea 
appears  to  differ  from  hirundo  in  having  the  outer  web  of 
the  outer  tail-feather  white.  I  have  never  met  with  it. 

278.  Hydrochslidon   fissipes,  GRAY.  —  Short-tailed 
Tern.     Rare  in  autumn.     Mr.  J.  F.  Le  Baron  shot  a  speci- 
men at  Ipswich,  August  11,  and  saw  another. 

279.  Haliplana    fuliginosa,   WAGL.   — Sooty   Tern. 
Mr.    Samuels   says  he    "  found   it  breeding  on  Muskegat 
Island."     I  think  it  occurs  rarely. 


PROCELLARID.E,  —  THE  PETRELS. 

280.  Puffinus   major,  FABER.  —  Greater  Shearwater. 
Not  uncommon  off  the  coast  in  winter. 

281.  Puffinus    Anglorum,    TEMM.  —  Hank's    Shear- 
water.    Rare  off  the  coast  in  winter. 

282.  Puffinus    fuliginosus,  STRICKL.  —  Sooty  Shear- 
water.    Common  off  the  coast  during  spring,  autumn,  and 
winter. 

283.  Procellaria  pelagica,  LINN.  —  Stormy  Petrel 
Rare  off  the  coast, 

284.  Oceanites  oceanica,  COUES.  —  Wilson's  Petrel. 
Common  off  the  coast. 

285.  Cymochorea    leucorrhoa,    COUES.  —  Leach's 
Petrel.     Abundant  off  the  coast.     This  and  the  two  pre- 


158  THE  NATURALIST'S   GUIDE. 

ceding  are  the  "  Mother  Carey's  Chickens  "  of  sailors  and 
others.  On  September  9,  1809,  after  a  gale,  a  specimen 
was  shot  on  Charles  lliver,  twelve  miles  from  the  sea ! 


COLYMBID/E,  —  THE  DIVERS  AND  LOONS. 

286.  Colymbus   torquatus,  BRUNN.  —  Great  North 
ern  Diver,  "Loon."    Common  in  autumn,  winter,  and  spring. 
Breeds  in  western  Massachusetts ;  I  do  not  think  it  does 
in  this  section. 

287.  Colymbus    arcticus,     LINN.  —  B lack-throated 
Loon,  or  Diver.     Very  rare  during  winter.  , 

288.  Colymbus     septentrionalis,    LINN.  —  Red- 
throated  Loon,   or   Diver.     The   most  common  of  all    the 
epecies  during  the  winter  and  autumn,  called  everywhere 
"  Cape  Race,"  or  "  Scapegrace,"  by  gunners. 


PODICIPID.E,  —  THE  GREBES. 

289.  Podiceps  Holbollii,  REINHARDT.  —  Red-necked 
Grebe,  "  Dipper  Duck."     Common  during  the  migrations. 

290.  Podiceps     CristatUS,     LATH.  —  Crested    Grebe. 
Common  during  autumn  and  winter. 

291.  Podiceps  COrnutUS,  LATH. — Horned  Grebe.  Com- 
mon during  autumn  and  winter.     This  and  the  two  pre- 
ceding frequent   the  salt  water  exclusively.     Are   seldom 
met  with    in    full    plumage.     Called    by  gunners    ';  Devil 
Divers"  and  "  Water  Witches,"  on  account  of  their  diving 
to  elude  the  shot ;    their  power  of  diving  and  remaining 
Under  water  a  long  time  is  certainly  marvellous. 

292.  Podilymbus    podiceps,     LAWK.  —  Dabc.hi-k. 
11  Dipper  Duck."     Common  during   the    migrations .    fre 
quents  the  fresh  waters. 


BIRDS   OF   EASTERN   MASSACHUSETTS  159 


ALCID^E,  —  THE  AUKS  AND  GUILLEMOTS. 

The  Great  Auk  (Alca  impennis,  Linn.)  must  have  been 
quite  common  many  years  ago  on  the  coast  north  of  Cape 
Ann.  In  the  autumn  of  18G7,  and  in  company  with  Mr. 
Allen  in  June,  18G8,  I  found  in  the  shell-heaps  on  the 
Ipswich  Sand-hills,  numerous  bones  of  this  now  extinct 
bird ;  probably  dropped  there  by  the  Indians,*  who  must 
have  killed  them  with  their  arrows,  or  other  primitive 
wreapons,  for  food. 

293.  Utamania    torda,    LEACH.  —  Razor-billed   Auk, 
"  Tinker."     Common  in  winter  off  the  coast. 

294.  Fratercula  arctica,  ILLIG.  —  Pufm,  "  Sea  Par 
rot."     Not  uncommon  in  winter  otf  the  coast. 

295.  Uria    grylle,    LATH.  —  Llack    Guillemot,    "  Sea 
Pigeon."     Common  in  winter. 

29G.  Lomvia  troille,  BRANDT.  —  Foolish  Guillemot, 
"  Murre."  Common  off  the  coast  in  winter. 

297.  Lcmvia  ringvia,  BRANDT.  —  Murre.    Not  uncom- 
mon in  winter  off  the  coast. 

298.  Lomvia  Svarbag,  COUES.  —  BrunnicKs  Guille- 
mot,   Thick-billed    Guillemot.      Common    off   the    coast    h* 
winter. 

299.  Mergulus  alle,  VIEILL.  —  Sea  Dove,  "Doveke," 
"Little   Auk."     Common  winter  resident.      I  have  seen  it 
on  Indian  River,  Florida. 

*  See  account  of  Ipswich  Sand-hills,  pp.  54,  65 


APPENDIX. 


THE  whole  number  of  birds  belonging  to  the  fauna  of 
eastern  Massachusetts  is  two  hundred  and  ninety-nine,* 
as  will  be  seen  by  the  Catalogue.  Of  these  twelve  have 
been  recently  added,  viz.  :  the  Varied  Thrush  (Tardus 
n'cvius),  the  Tennessee  Warbler  (Hebninthophaga  pere- 
yruia),  the  Baird's  Sparrow  (CeMronyx  Bainlii),  the  Gray 
King-Bird  (Tyrannus  Dominicensis),  the  Yellow-headed 
Blackbird  (Xanthocephaltis  icterocepkalus),  the  Barn  Owl 
(titrix  pratincola),  the  Hawk  Owl  (Snrtiui  ulula),  the  Stilt 
Sandpiper  (MicTopalama  himantopus),  the  Yellow-crowned 
Night  Heron  (Nyctherodius  violaceus),  the  Sandwich  Tern 
(Sterna  cantiaca),  the  White  Pelican  (Pelecanus  erythro- 
rhynchus),  and  the  Brown  Pelican  (Pelecanus  fuscas). 

In  the  following  tables  may  be  found  a  classification  of 

*  The  whole  number  of  species  given  by  Mr.  J.  A.  Allen,  in  the  "  Pro- 
ceedings of  the  Kssex  Institute,"  Vol.  IV.  No.  2,  August,  1864,  as  occurring 
in  the  State,  was  two  hundred  and  ninety-six.  Of  these,  three  have  not 
been  found  in  eastern  Massachusetts,  viz.  :  IftlmintliKfili'tya  cel'itu,  Km- 
pidminx  Acadiciu,  and  Ccnturus  CaroUnus.  Those  given  upon  doubtful  or 
insufficient  evidence  as  birds  of  eastern  Massachusetts,  which  are  not  in- 
cluded in  the  present  list,  are  nine,  viz.:  Parvs  Hudwnicns,  Girdimilis 
Virginianus,  JEyidlitii  Wilsimiuf,  Anser  hyperboreus,  Anser  Gamhelii^  Bn'- 
nicla  I/utchinsii,  Bernicla  hncopsis,  Procellaria  (jlaciulit,  and  Sterna  ara- 
nea.  Sixteen  species  are  added  in  Mr.  Allen's  supplement  ('•  American 
Naturalist,"  Vol.  III.,  pp.  505-519,  568-585,  631  -648,  1869),  after  ex- 
punging four  species  from  the  previous  list,  —  increasing  his  catalogue  to 
three  hundred  and  eight.  Out  of  these,  three  are  birds  of  western  Massa- 
chusetts, viz. :  Ntmcltrusfiircatus,  Sniurus  Ludoricianus,  and  Serin/is  mei'i- 
dionalis.  Two  of  those  given  in  his  supplement  as  birds  of  eastern  Massa- 
chusetts are  not  included  in  the  present  Catalogue,  viz. :  Buttto  Qioperi  (tiiA 
included,  for  reasons  given  on  page  135)  and  C'U'dutlis  drf/tins,  which, 
as  Mr.  Allen  justly  remarks,  was  probably  an  escaped  cage-bird. 

K 


162  APPENDIX. 

the  birds  of  eastern  Massachusetts,  relative  to  their  being 
resident,  migratory,  or  straggling  species,  etc.  :  — 

RESIDENT  SPECIES  THAT   BREED. 

1.  Ainpelis  cedrorum.  16.  Falco  columbarius.t 

2.  Anas  obacura.*  17.  Falco  sparverius.J 

3.  Ablnigdliims  tristis.t  18.  Melospiza  melodia.J 

4.  Astur  atricapillus.  19.  Nyctale  Acadica. 

5.  Bonasa  unibellus.  20.  Ortyx  Virgiiiiana. 

6.  Brachyotus  Cassinii.  21.  Otus  Wilsoniaims. 

7.  Bubo  Virginia-mis.  22.  Parus  atricapillus.t 

8.  Buteo  lineatus.  23.  Picus  pubcscens. 

9.  Buteo  borealis.  24.  Picus  villosus.t 

10.  Carpodacns  purpureus.t  25.  Passer  domestica. 

11.  Certhia  familiaris.*  26.  Scops  asio. 

12.  Colaptes  auratus.t  27.  Stumella  magna.* 

13.  Corvus  Americanus.t  28.  Syriiiuin  nebulosum. 

14.  Cupidonia  cupido.  29.  Turdus  migratorius.  § 
•  15.  Cyanura  cristata.t 

*  The  greater  part  go  north  in  summer,  and  south  in  winter. 

t  Those  marked  in  this  manner  are  not  resident  individually;  that  is 
tho=e  species  that  have  passed  the  summer  with  us  migrate  to  the  south, 
and  others,  who  have  passed  the  summer  farther  north,  take  their  places. 
&ee  remarks  on  page  129  under  the  head  of  Picus  rillosus. 

t  Of  these  species  but  few  remain  in  winter,  the  greater  part  pass  south. 

§  Sometimes  not  to  be  found  all  winter. 

RESIDENT  SPECIES  THAT  DO  NOT  BREED. 

1.  Cymocliorea  Icucorrhoa.  5.  Oceanites  oceanica. 

2.  Haliiietus  leucocephalus.  *  6.  (Edemia  Americana,  t 

3.  Lams  argentatus.t  7.  Pelionetta  perspicillata.* 

4.  Melanetta  velvetina.J 

*  This  eagle  is  quite  frequently  seen  along  our  coast,  even  in  summer. 
but  as  it  is  not  known  to  breed,  and  being  a  bird  of  strong  flight,  it  is  prob- 
able that  it  is  making  daily  excursions  in  search  of  food. 

t  Those  that  remain  during  the  summer  are  generally  immature  birds, 
probably  the  young  of  the  previous  year.  See  remarks  on  page  151,  under 


J  These  three  species  are  given  upon  the  authority  of  Mr.  E.  C.  Green- 
woo  1.  <>f  Ipswich. 


APPKNDIX. 


163 


REGULAR  SUMMER  VISITANTS  THAT  BREED. 


1.  Accipiter  Cooperii. 

2.  Accipiter  fuscus. 

3.  Actiturus  Bartramius. 

4.  yEgialitis  melodus. 
o.  ^Egialitis  vociferus. 

6.  Agelseus  phoeniceus. 

7.  Aix  sponsa. 

8.  Ammodromus  caudacutus. 

9.  Antrostomus  vociferusr. 

10.  Ardea  herodias. 

11.  Botaurus  lentiginosus. 

12.  Buteo  Pennsylvanicus. 

13.  Butorides  virescens. 

14.  Ceryle  alcyon. 

15.  Chcetura  pelasgia. 

16.  Chordeiles  popetue. 

17.  Chroecocephalus  atricilla. 

18.  Circus  Hudsonius. 

1 9.  Cistotliorus  'palustris. 

20.  Cistothorus  stellaris. 

21.  Coccygus  Americanus. 

'22.  Coccygus  erythrophthalmus. 

23.  Contopus  borealis. 

24.  Contopus  virens. 

25.  Coturniculus  Henslowi. 

26.  Coturniculus  passerinus. 

27.  Cotyle  riparia. 

28.  Cyanospiza  cyanea. 

29.  Dendroaca  aestiva. 

30.  Dendro2ca  discolor. 

31.  Dendroeca  Pennsylvania. 

32.  Dendroeca  pina. 

33.  Dendroeca  virens. 

34.  Doliclionyx  oryzivorus. 

35.  Empidonax  minimus. 

36.  Geothlypis  trichas. 

37.  Guiraca  Ludoviciana. 

38.  Harporhynehus  rufus. 

39.  Helminthophaga  ehrysoptera. 


40.  Helminthophaga  ruficapilla. 

41.  Hirundo  horreorum. 

42.  Icterus  Baltimore. 

43.  Icterus  spurius.* 

44.  Melospiza  palustris. 

45.  Mimus  Carolinensis. 

46.  Mniotilta  varia. 

47.  Molotlirus  pecoris. 

48.  Myiarchus  crinitus.* 

49.  Nyctiardea  Gardenii. 

50.  Parula  Americana. t 

51.  Passerculus  savanna. 

52.  Petrochelidon  lunifrons. 

53.  Philohela  minor. 

54.  Pipilo  erythrophthalmus. 

55.  Pocecetes  gramineus. 

56.  Porzana  Carolina. 

57.  Progne  subis. 

58.  Pyranga  rubra. 

59.  Quiscalus  versicolor. 

60.  Rallus  Virginianus. 

61.  Sayornis  fuscus. 

62.  Seiurus  aurocapillus. 

63.  Setophaga  ruticilla. 

64.  Sialia  sialis. 

65.  Sitta  Canadensis.t 

66.  Sitta  Carolinensis. 

67.  Spizella  pusilla. 

68.  Spizella  socialis. 

69.  Sterna  Antilaram. 

70.  Sterna  hirundo. 

71.  Sterna  macroura. 

72.  Stema  paradisea. 

73.  Tachycineta  bicolor. 

74.  Tringoides  macularius. 

75.  Trochilus  colubris. 

76.  Troglodytes  aedon. 

77.  Turdus  fuscescens. 

78.  Turdus  mustelinus. 


164  APPENDIX. 

79.  Turdus  Pallasii.t  83.  Vireo  noveboracensis. 

80.  Tyrannus  Carolinensis.  84.  Vireo  olivaceus. 

81.  Vireo  flavifrons.  85.  Vireo  solitarius.t 

82.  Vireo  gilvus.  86.  Zensedura  Carolinensis. 

*  These  species  breed  only  in  small  numbers.    Massachusetts  is  about 
their  extreme  northern  limit. 

t  These  breed  sparsely ;  the  greater  part  go  north. 


REGULAR  SUMMER  VISITORS  THAT  DO  NOT  BREED.* 

1.  Ereunetes  pusillus.  3.  Pelidna  Americana. 

2.  Gambetta  flavipes. 

*  But  few  remain ;  the  greater  part  go  north.    See  remarks  upon  page 
140,  under  the  head  of  the  preceding  names. 


IRREGULAR  SUMMER  VISITORS  OR  STRAGGLERS   THAT 
HAVE   BEEN  KNOWN  TO   BREED. 

1.  Euspiza  Americana.  2.  Gallinula  galeata 


IRREGULAR  SUMMER  VISITORS   OR   STRAGGLERS  THAT 
NEVER  HAVE  BEEN  KNOWN   TO   BREED. 

1.  Ardetta  exilis.  14.  Mclanerpes  erythrocephalus. 

2.  Argyria  maculata.  15.  Micropalama  liimantopus. 

3.  Cathartes  atratus.  16.  Mimus  polyglottus. 

4.  Cathartes  aura.  17.  Nyctherodius  violaceus. 

5.  Chondestes  grammacus.  18.  Pelecanus  fuscus.* 

6.  Falcinellus  Ordii.  19.  Pelecanus  erythrorhynchus.  * 

7.  Florida  cserulea.  20.  Pyranga  testiva. 

8.  Gallinula  martinica.  21.  Rallus  crepitans. 

9.  Garzetta  candidissima.  22.  Symphemia  semipalmata. 

10.  Halipana  fulignosa.  23.  Strix  pratincola.t 

11.  Herodias  egretta.  24.  Thalasseus  acuflavida.t 

12.  Himantopus  nigricollis.  25.  Tyrannus  Dominicensis. 

13.  Icteria  viridis.  26.  Xanthocephalus  icterocephalus.  * 

*  Generally  immature  specimens,  commonly  taken  in  early  autumn- 
t  One  specimen  captured  in  autumn. 


APPENDIX. 


165 


That  so  many  of  these  stragglers  have  been  recently 
added  to  the  catalogue  must  be  attributed  to  the  in- 
creased numbers  of  observers,  rather  than  to  the  increase 
of  specimens.  Numerous  instances  like  the  preceding 
have  undoubtedly  occurred  in  the  past,  but  from  the 
scarcity  of  observers  they  have  passed  unnoticed,  or  at 
least  unrecorded. 


REGULAR  SPRING   AND  AUTUMN  MIGRANTS. 


1.  Actodroraua  Bonapartii. 

2.  Actodromus  maculata. 

3.  Actodromus  minutella. 

4.  TEgialitis  semipalmatus. 

5.  Ammodroinus  maritimus. 

6.  Anas  boschas. 

7.  Anorthura  hy emails. 

8.  Antlius  Ludovicianus. 

9.  Arquatella  maritima. 

10.  Aythya  Americana. 

11.  Aythya  vallisneria. 

12.  Bernicla  brenta. 

13.  Bernicla  Canadensis.  * 

14.  Calidris  arenaria. 

15.  Charadrius  Virginicus. 

16.  Dafila  acuta. 

17.  Dendrceca  Blackbumifle.t 

18.  Dendra-ca  castanea. 

19.  Dendroeca  cccrulescens. 

20.  Dendroeca  coronata. 

21.  Dendroeca  maculosa. 

22.  Dendrceca  palmarum. 

23.  Dendroeca  striata. 

24.  Empidonax  flaviventris. 

25.  Erismatura  rubida. 

26.  Fulica  Americana. 

27.  Fulix  affinis. 

28.  Fulix  collaris. 

29.  Fulix  niarila. 

30.  Oallinago  Wilsonii. 


31.  Gambetta  melanoleuca. 

32.  Geothlypis  Philadelphia. 

33.  Harelda  glacialis. 

34.  Helmmthophaga  peregiina.^ 

35.  Hydrochelidon  fissipes.  § 

36.  Limosa  fedoa. 

37.  .Limosa  Hudsonica. 

38.  Lophodytes  cucullatus. 

39.  Macrorhamphus  griseus. 

40.  Mareca  Americana. 

41.  Myiodioctes  Canadensis.  || 

42.  Myiodioctes  pusillus. 

43.  Nettion  Carolinensis. 

44.  Numenius  borealis. 

45.  Numenius  Hudsonicus. 

46.  Numenius  longirostris. 

47.  Oporornis  agilis.§ 

48.  Pandion  Carolinensis. 

49.  Passerella  iliaca. 

50.  Perissoglossa  tigrina. 

51.  Podilymbus  podiceps. 

52.  Querquedula  discors. 

53.  Regulus  calendulus. 

54.  Rhyacophilus  solitarius. 

55.  Scolecophagus  ferrugineus. 

56.  Seiurus  noveboraeensis.t 

57.  Sphyrapicus  varius. 

58.  S(iuatarola  helvetica. 

59.  Strepsilas  interpres. 

60.  Trinsja  ciuuitus. 


166  APPENDIX. 

61.  Troglodytes  hyemalis.  64.  Zonotrichia  leucophrys. 

62.  Tryngites  rufescens.  65.  Zonotrichia  albicollis. 

63.  Turdus  Swainsonii. 

*  Probably  breeds  occasionally,  as  it  certainly  did  in  former  years. 

t  Stragglers  may  remain  and  breed. 

J  Seen  only  in  spring. 

§  More  common  in  autumn. 

II  Has  been  known  to  breed  in  the  State. 


OCCASIONAL  OR  IRREGULAR  SPRING  AND  AUTUMN 
MIGRANTS. 

1.  Ancylocheilus  subarquatus.  8.  Melospiza  Lincoln!!. 

2.  Chaulelasmus  streperus.  9.  Nettion  crecca.t 

3.  Empidonax  Traillii.  10.  Phalaropus  fulicarius.  * 

4.  Hsematopus  palliatus.  11.  Porzana  noveboracensis. 

5.  Helminthophaga  pina.  12.  Procellaria  pelagica.* 

6.  Lobipes  hyperboreus.  *  13.  Spatula  clypeata. 

7.  Mareca  Penelope. t  14.  Steganopus  Wilsonii.* 

*  These  probably  pass  outside  regularly,  but  seldom  alight  upon  the 
shore, 
f  Accidental  in  autumn. 

REGULAR  WINTER  VISITANTS. 

1.  Archibuteo  logopus.  18.   Larus  glaucus. 

2.  Archibuteo  Sancti-Johannis.  19.  Larus  marinus. 

3.  Bucephala  albeola.  *  20.   Larus  leucopterus. 

4.  Bucephala  Americana.  21.  Lorn  via  ringvia. 

5.  Camptolsemus  Labradorius.  22.   Lomvia  Svarbag. 

6.  Chrcecocephalus  Philadelphia.  23.  Lomvia  troille. 

7.  Collurio  borealis.  24.  Mergnlus  alle. 

8.  Colymbus  septentrionalis.  25.   Mergus  Americana. 

9.  Colymbus  torquatus.*  26.   Mergus  serrator. 

10.  Ectopistes  migratorius.t  27.   Nyctea  nivea. 

11.  Eremophila  alpestus.  28.  Plertroplmnes  Lapponicus. 

12.  Fratercula  arctica.  29.   PIectroi)hanes  nivalis. 

13.  Graculus  carbo.J  30.   Podireps  comutus. 

14.  Graculus  dilophus.t  31.    Podiceps  cristatus. 

15.  Histrionicus  torquatus.  32.    Podii-cjis  Holbollii. 

16.  Junco  hyemalis.*  33.   Pumnus  Angloram.J 

17.  Lams  Delawarensis.  34.   Puffinus  fuliginosus.J 


APPENDIX,  167 

Sj.  Pulfiiius  major. $  41.  Stercorarius  pomarinus, 

36.  Regains  satrapus,  42.   Sula  bassana. 

37.  Hissa  tridactyla.  43.   Thalasseus  Caspius. 
33.  Somateria  inollissima.  44.  Uria  grylle. 

39.  Spizeila  moiiticola.  *  45.  Utamania  torda, 

40.  Stercorarius  BufFonii. 

*  A  few  winter,  but  the  greater  part  pass  south. 

t  Generally  seen  in  autumn,  but  a  few  winter. 

J  Seldom  seen  ou  the  shore,  but  common  off  the  coast. 


WINTER   VISITORS    WHOSE   OCCURRENCE   MAY    BE    E 
PECTED   AT   IRREGULAR   PERIODS. 

1.  /Egiothus  Unarms.  4.  Curvirostra  leucoptera. 

2.  Chrysomitiis  pinus.  5.  Pinicola  Canadensis. 

3.  Curvirostra  Americana. 


IRREGULAR   AND   STRAGGLING   WINTER   VISITORS. 

1.  Ampelis  garrulus.  *  10.  Picoides  arcticus. 

2.  Aquila  Canadensis.  11.   Picoides  hirsutus. 

3.  liuphagus  skua.  12.  Somateria  spectabilis. 

4.  Centronyx  Bairdii.t  13.  Stercorarius  parasiticus. 
,">.   Colymbus  arcticus.  14.  Sula  fiba. 

(}.  C'ygnus  Americanus.  15.  Sumia  ulula. 

7.  Falco  auatum.  16.  Syrnium  cinereum. 

8.  Falco  sacer.  17.  Tetrao  Canadensis. 
1).   Xyctale  Richardsonii.  18.  Turdus  nsevius.t 

*  Occasionally  seen  hi  autumn.  f  But  one  specimen  taken. 


INDEX  TO    PART  II. 


Alaudidae,  121. 
AlcedinidsE,  126. 
AlcidiB,  159 
Ainpelidas.  107. 
Anatidae,  146. 
Appendix,  161. 
Ardeidae,  143. 
Auks,  159. 
Avosets,  143. 

Blackbirds,  121. 

Caprimulgidce,  127. 

Certhiidse,  93. 
Charadriidee,  138. 
Colurabidee,  137. 
Colymbidse,  158. 
Cormorants,  150. 
Corridas,  124. 
Creepers,  93. 
Crows,  124. 
Cuckoos,  128. 
Cuculidffi,  128. 
Cypselidae,  127. 

Divers,  158. 
Doves,  137. 
Ducks,  147. 

Eagles,  133. 

Falconidae,  133. 
Falcons,  133. 
Finches,  109. 
Flycatchers,  124. 
Fringillidae,  109. 

Gnnnets,  150. 
Geese,  147. 
Goatsuckers,  127. 
GraculiclfP.  150. 
Grebes,  158. 
Grouse.  138. 
Guillemots,  159. 
Gulls,  160. 


Hsematopodidse,  139. 
Hawks,  133. 
Herons,  143. 
Hirundinidae,  105. 
Humming-Birds,  128. 

Icteridae,  121. 
Ibis,  145. 
Introduction,  83. 

Ja'gers,  150. 
Jays,  124. 

Kingfishers,  126. 
Kites,  133. 

Laniidae,  108. 
Laridae,  150. 
Larks,  121. 
Loons,  158. 

Motacillidae,  98. 
Nuthatches,  93. 

Orioies,  121. 
Owls.  130. 
Oyster-catchers,  139. 

Paridae.  93. 
Partridges,  138. 
Pelecanidre,  149. 
Pelicans,  149. 
Perdicidae,  138. 
Petrels.  ir»7. 
IMialaropes,  142. 
Phalaropodido3,  142. 
Picidse,  129. 
Pigeons,  137. 
Plovers.  138. 
Podicipidre,  158. 
Procellaridae,  157. 

Rails.  145. 
Rallidae,  145. 


170 


INDEX. 


Recurvirostridse,  143. 
Kock-Inhubiters,  92. 

Sandpipers,  140. 
Saxicolidse,  92. 
Scolopacidse,  139. 
Sheldrakes,  149. 
Shrikes,  108. 
Sittidae,  94. 
Snipes,  139. 
Sparrows,  109. 
Starlings,  121. 
"Stilts,  143. 
Strigidae,  130. 
Sulidoe,  150. 
Swallows,  105. 
Swans,  146. 
Swifts,  127. 
Sylvicolidae,  98. 
Sylviidae,  93. 

Tanagrida,  108, 


Tanagers,  108. 
Terns,  151. 
Tetraonidae,  138. 
Thrushes,  b9. 
Titmice,  93. 
Trochilidae,  128. 
Troglodytidae,  94. 
Turdidae,  89. 
Tyrannidce,  124. 
Tyrant  Flycatchers,  124 

Vireonidsc,  106. 
Vireos,  106. 
Vultures,  137. 

Wagtails,  98. 
Warblers,  93. 
Waxwings,  107. 
Woodpeckers,  129. 
Wood-Warblers,  98. 
Wrens,  94. 


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